Kirsten Dunst Reflects on ‘Terrifying’ Experience Kissing Josh Hartnett in ‘The Virgin Suicides’
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Actress Kirsten Dunst recently opened up about her experience of filming a kissing scene with Josh Hartnett in the iconic movie ‘The Virgin Suicides.’ The pair starred in Sofia Coppola’s directorial debut, portraying the characters of Lux Lisbon and Trip Fontaine, who share a brief teenage romance.
In a special screening event at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film, Dunst and Coppola shared insights into the making of the movie. Dunst, now 43 years old and an Oscar nominee, revealed that at the age of 16, she found the kissing scene with Hartnett to be ‘terrifying.’
Dunst admitted that playing the role of Lux Lisbon, a promiscuous character in love with Hartnett’s Trip Fontaine, was challenging for her teenage self. She confessed, “I was worried about kissing Josh [Hartnett] in the car and making out with boys on the roof, which Sof didn’t make me do.”
Reflecting on a pivotal scene where Lux passionately kisses Trip in his car, Dunst shared that the intensity of the moment was palpable. She reminisced about the realism of the scene and how it evoked genuine anxiety, even for the actors.
During the shoot, Dunst and Hartnett were guided by the song “Crazy on You” by Heart, which also played during the scene. The accompanying soundtrack helped set the mood and added depth to their performances, as revealed by Dunst and Coppola during the event.
‘The Virgin Suicides,’ written and directed by Sofia Coppola, marked her feature directorial debut. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 before its release in theaters in April 2000. Based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, the story follows the tragic lives of the five Lisbon sisters in 1970s Michigan.
The movie delves into the strict and overprotective upbringing of the Lisbon sisters, culminating in their untimely deaths and the impact on the boys in their neighborhood. ‘The Virgin Suicides’ explores themes of innocence, adolescence, and the consequences of oppressive societal norms.
As the audience reminisces about the impact of ‘The Virgin Suicides’ and its enduring legacy, the candid revelations from Kirsten Dunst offer a glimpse into the vulnerability and intensity of the on-screen performances. The film’s exploration of love, loss, and coming-of-age continues to resonate with viewers worldwide.
‘The Virgin Suicides’ remains available for viewing on various platforms, including Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube, allowing new audiences to discover the haunting beauty of this cinematic masterpiece. The enduring appeal of the film is a testament to the timeless themes and captivating performances that continue to captivate audiences.