Customer Reviews

Virgin Territory [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is something like a Shakesperian comedy, only with humor that's a little more raunchy. It takes place in Italy around the 17th century (or so) and focuses in on a sort of Don Juan character who is always on the run (played by Hayden Christensen). He finds sanctuary from the hoodlums who are chasing him by scamming his way into being the gardner of a convent. One can already imagine the mischief a lady's man is bound to cause amongst a slew of virgin(?) nuns!

Of course, as you've already guessed by now, there is a certain woman (played by Mischa Barton) whom he desires above all else. Only problem is, she's betrothed to, not one, but two(!) other men. Oh, what's a playboy to do!?

As the title indicates, there is some gratuitous nudity in the film. However, I actually thought there would be much more than there was, especially as they were constantly discussing the topic of intercourse. Sadly, Mischa Barton does not remove her shirt, but she still manages to steal the show. I look forward to seeing more movies with this stunning beauty!

If you enjoy British comedy, this film will likely be right up your alley. If you want to take a chance on a charming Romantic comedy based in a long-ago era, this film might be just the thing.

I was wondering what to expect when i started watching this movie BUT i can honestly say it was kinda ok.. It's like a sex movie for 19-24 year olds. It was cheesey yet you couldn't help but watch at times.. I would truly have given it 2.85 stars...

I didn't want to like this movie but it was just so damn cute; Tim Roth is excellent as the villian, all the ladies are gorgeous, the costumes are lovely, the setting is exquisite, the fight scenes were exciting, and the soft-core touch was just right. It NEVER took itself too seriously and so I could find no fault in such a fun little frolic. If you're in the mood for playful period romance with a BAWDY sense of humor, this is your movie! Come on and admit it, sometimes you get tired of big budget sci-fi, gross out comedies, bloody thrillers and overwrought dramas! I haven't seen a film like Virgin Territory since I was a teen in an art house watching a saucy European comedy of errors.

David Leland's 2007 romantic comedy Virgin Territory (based on Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron) is best described as a cross between A Knight's Tale, The Princess Bride and American Pie. Whereas those films generally hit their marks, Virgin Territory will leave you somewhat wanting. For every scene that worked, there were a couple of scenes where the payoff didn't quite do justice to the setup. Yet for all of the film's faults there is, surprisingly, enough comedy, romance, action and "can't look away from it" charm to it all that makes Virgin Territory marginally recommendable. The production design, costumes and the soundtrack aren't exactly lacking either. Stars Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith) as charming rogue Lorenzo de Lamberti, Mischa Barton (The O.C.) as poor little rich girl Pampinea, and Tim Roth (The Incredible Hulk) as the rascally evil Gerbino. A part of Anchor Bay's Unzipped Collection for language and nudity, Virgin Territory features Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) video; 5.1 Dolby Surround audio; plus the following Special Features: Behind the Scenes of Virgin Territory, Censored Scenes of Sexuality, David Walliams: Cart Pusher featurette. Running time is 97 minutes.

I thought this would be a racy love story set in 14th century Florence. While it was, this movie had a porn feel.

Hayden Christensen from JUMPER stars as Lorenzo de Lamberti who beds every woman he encounters. It's not really work on his part as much as women are drawn to him. The one woman he wants is betrothed to one man while another more sinister nobleman is set on having her.

There were just too many tacky parts to rate the movie on a high scale. It wasn't a total stinker as I watched the entire film. I personally don't feel I'm the target audience. Maybe the younger crowd - 18/19/20 - would walk away with more appreciation than I did.

After the death of her parents, young Pampinea (Mischa Barton) awaits the arrival of the Russian count (Matthew Rhys) to whom she is to be married. A greedy nobleman, Gerbino (Tim Roth), plans to marry her instead and cash in on her family's fortune. Waiting in the wings is Lorenzo (Hayden Christensen), a lovable scoundrel who runs from Gerbino and hides out at a local nunnery. He longs for Pampinea, but manages to "put a damper" on his longings by offering his "services" to the sisters at the convent. Along for the ride is a very attractive group of randy friends and a man posing as a priest who are on their way to Pampinea's wedding. Romantic twists and seductive subplots abound, but who will eventually win the heart of Pampinea? You'll have to sit through 90+ minutes of ho-hum acting, music and action in order to find out.

This film tries terribly hard to be funny. Had it placed the focus on the supporting cast, it would have been much funnier. Instead, the viewer is forced to sit through the wooden performance of Christensen and the on again/off again accent of Barton. This pair manages to suck the life out of their respective scenes.

Roth gives a decent performance, but he's been much, much better in other films. Matthew Rhys, Christopher Egan, Rosalind Halstead, Kate Groombridge, Ryan Cartwright and Nigel Planer all manage to make the most of the bit parts they are given. From seduction to hilarity, they truly are the only things that make this film worth watching.

The music is atrocious, and it appears that the producers were looking for a similar tone as that one set in "A Knight's Tale." While it worked perfectly in "Tale," it sputters and chokes in this film.

There's quite a bit of sexuality in this film. Most of it is played out for comedic effect, but most young men will appreciate the effort put in by the actresses.

The DVD extras include a "self-pat on the back" behind the scenes featurette, the featurette David Williams: Cart Pusher, and unedited scenes of a sexual nature considered too hot for the MPAA. In all honesty, though, I've seen a lot more "hot" scenes in other films with a similar rating.

Overall, "Virgin Territory" would have been a lot better had it been given stronger lead actors. Christensen has yet to prove to me that he deserves all of the roles he has been given. This is the first thing I've ever seen Barton in to my knowledge (other than E! News specials) and she doesn't impress either. Roth was simply disappointing.

The supporting cast alone is worthy of two stars, and I bumped it up to three for the simple fact that when the humor is on, it is wonderful.

Recommended only as a rental.

Dino De Laurentis' 38 million dollar production of Virgin Territory is loosely based on Boccaccio's Decameron. The Decameron is a collection of 100 novellas by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio, written in the 14th century. It is a medieval allegorical work best known for its bawdy tales of love, appearing in all its possibilities from the erotic to the tragic. Many notable writers such as Shakespeare, Chaucer, Shelley, Molière, and even Martin Luther are said to have drawn inspiration from The Decameron. Obviously Dino and his hefty pocketbook, David Leland; writer & director, respectively, and the rest of the crew also got a bit inspired, albeit mostly in a bawdy, goofy and juvenile sort of way.

This Anchor Bay release is part of their new "Unzipped" Collection and was just plain fun to watch. The costuming by Cavalli and scenery/architecture in Florence were breathtaking but by no means is this a true period piece. If you watch a lot of Masterpiece Theatre and the like, I am sure that this film would not appeal to your palate but if you want to just sit, not think, watch a good bodice ripping/sexually charged storyline with beautiful, young, nearly naked bodies all posed in fabulous scenery with great music all behind it then this is a film you would enjoy.

Tim Roth is always a great villian and he does not disappoint. Hayden Christensen and company do a fine job in their parts. Mischa Barton has a bit of trouble keeping up the accent and is probably the weakest of the bunch. There is a hilarious cow milking scene with five of the supporting cast, a seductive bath scene in a nunnery, and a great gypsy scene with a crew of gypsy men and two of the young women who play bit parts that are, alone, worth seeing the film.

I also would like to mention that the soundtrack was amazing. Lots of alternative tunes by Groove Armada, The Kills, Basement Jaxx, Pete Doherty, Blur and Dangermouse to mention just a few.

All and all a great romantic comedy fit for the 20-something bunch!

Pleasant Viewing!

While the film could have been an interesting big screen adaptation of the Casanova tale, with lots of young and up and coming actors and actresses, it falls into the trap of looking like modern day actors forced into these medieval roles. They just don't pull off looking like they should be in that time frame. Many, many comedic attempts have tried to go the bawdy romp route and failed, and this one is no different.

For a much better movie, and similar theme, look no further than television and the British production (shown in the US on Masterpiece Theater) of Casanova (Masterpiece Theater). It's a tremendously better play on the same plot, and you can see the production quality and performances are all a notch or two above this sophmoric, direct to DVD flick.

This is a great romantic comedy with the flavor of 'Benny Hill'. Set in medieval times, it uses the twist of more modern music that makes the tone more upbeat. A young man, Lorenzo, is in love with Pampinea, but that doesn't prevent him from taking what a few nuns have to offer when Lorenzo must hide out from a maniac played by Tim Roth who is after Lorenzo's blood. A funny mix of swordplay, love and lust. I also enjoyed the bonus materials.

Chrissy K. McVay - Author

Too many reviewers here, taking this in a far too serious light.

It's a bawdy romp, acted as well as you would expect for it's genre. Great picture and sound quality and all in all a fun movie.