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Movies / On DVD / Virgil Bliss
Virgil Bliss

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Virgil Bliss (2002)

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Reviews Counted:17

Fresh:12

Rotten:5

Average Rating:6.5/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jun 12, 2002 Limited

Synopsis: After serving twelve years in prison, an ex convict tries to start a "normal life" while on parole. Virgil Bliss (Clint Jordan) decides to find a good job, get married, and start a family. The only... After serving twelve years in prison, an ex convict tries to start a "normal life" while on parole. Virgil Bliss (Clint Jordan) decides to find a good job, get married, and start a family. The only problem is that he's living in a halfway house and doesn't know any women. His roommate Manny Alvarez (Anthony Gorman), a hood with a chip on his shoulder, introduces Virgil to a prostitute named Ruby (Kirsten Russell). Virgil immediately falls for the hard-bitten and vulnerable woman and moves in with her after his release from the halfway house. He gets a job as a janitor and begins a straight life, but Ruby, a damaged junkie, denies him his dreams of normalcy. When Manny gets out of the halfway house, he shows up at Virgil's door, trying to pull Virgil back into a life a crime. To make matters worse, Ruby's pusher gives Virgil trouble, forcing him to make some tough decisions about his values and the lifestyle that he wants so badly. Kirsten Russell and Clint Jordan are heartbreaking as two damaged people trying to make it in this debut film by Joe Maggio. [More]

Starring: Clint Jordan, Kristen Russell, Anthony Gorman, John Hagemann

Starring: Clint Jordan, Kristen Russell, Anthony Gorman, John Hagemann

Director: Joe Maggio

Director: Joe Maggio
Screenwriter: Joe Maggio
Producer: John Maggio, Joe Maggio
Composer: Greta Gaines, Chris Jordan, Anthony Gorman
Studio: First Run Features

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Nov 26, 2002

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Virgil Bliss

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
06/15/02
Reel.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine

Although some of the secondary roles are awkwardly acted, the leads are impressive.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
12/13/02
Oregonian

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/26/03
BBC

Raw independent drama with great naturalistic performances.

comment Comment
11/07/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Shot largely in small rooms, the film has a gentle, unforced intimacy that never becomes claustrophobic.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
06/12/02
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

You've seen it before: the ex-con who stumbles while striving to assimilate back into society. But writer-director Joe Maggio and his able cast makes you care about this man's sorry journey in Virgil Bliss.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
06/15/02
Eric Monder
Eric Monder
Film Journal International

An overly familiar scenario is made fresh by an intelligent screenplay and gripping performances in this low-budget, video-shot, debut indie effort.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
07/10/02
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter

Virgil's naïveté isn't entirely believable, but his essential goodness is, thanks to a solid performance by Jordan, and that's really what makes this modern urban tragedy unusually affecting.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
06/13/02
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Director Joe Maggio's riveting film is blessed with a solid cast.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Merle Bertrand
Merle Bertrand
Film Threat

Proof that a newcomer indie filmmaker can infuse some new life into the Downtrodden Loser Character Study.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
06/09/03
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
Apollo Guide

It's sweet... but just a little bit too precious at the start and a little too familiar at the end.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
05/22/02
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

Stale, futile scenario.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
06/11/02
Dennis Lim
Dennis Lim
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
08/27/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Shows moments of promise but ultimately succumbs to cliches and pat storytelling.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
06/14/02
Rachel Deahl
Rachel Deahl
Boxoffice Magazine

Too bad Maggio couldn't come up with a better script.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
06/13/02
V.A. Musetto
V.A. Musetto
New York Post
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
03/25/03
Guardian [UK]
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: FilmFour.com | comment Comment
03/14/03
FilmFour.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
 
 
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