When he is contracted to make promotional videos for the UK branch of the US movement "Silver Ring Thing" who promote virginity and abstinence, filmmaker Jamie Campbell takes the job but feels he needs to do more research into what the group is all about. Hanging around with the UK group and travelling to the US to meet the founder and various other promoters of abstaining from sexual activity. Jamie is challenged by what he sees but gradually another agenda comes through that is deeply founded in religion and perhaps more forceful and scare mongering than it needs to be.
By chance more than anything else, I keep coming across films from Jamie Campbell and Joel Wilson and it was by chance that I watched this, not knowing it was theirs. Many of their films have been pretty studenty in approach and appeal and I generally have found them to be pretty basic and silly. When Campbell did Martha & Me the other year I thought maybe the pair had split but a Robbie Williams short film last year suggested they were still together and doing the silly stuff. However Make Me a Virgin is a step up for them and I think it is a step in the right direction.
The tone here is just the right mix of investigation and humour. Osama & US (and maybe Don't Panic) is a good example of what they used to do in how it presented itself as an investigation but was really just a micky take of anyone who they came across. Here they have kept a sense of humour but aren't looking for targets, which makes their film able to stand up as a genuine investigation. That is not to say that it is a brilliant film because it isn't, but it is a good one. The points are generally made by Campbell's narration whereas my personal preference would be for such a film to expose things rather than tell me them. That said it is still an interesting journey into these Christian groups even if I wasn't totally sure what the conclusions were because it wasn't that well structured.
The humour is gentle and works well as it isn't childish or harsh but is actually quite amusing. Campbell continues to be the best choice for front of camera stuff as he is a good presence and works well with people. Not to say that Wilson isn't but he does better behind the camera. The subjects mostly give a good account of themselves and it is a shame that nobody comes off really crazy, exploited, exploitative or such this is part of why maybe the investigation lacks teeth.
Overall though, despite this, it is a solid comic documentary that is a step in the right direction of Wilson and Campbell.
By chance more than anything else, I keep coming across films from Jamie Campbell and Joel Wilson and it was by chance that I watched this, not knowing it was theirs. Many of their films have been pretty studenty in approach and appeal and I generally have found them to be pretty basic and silly. When Campbell did Martha & Me the other year I thought maybe the pair had split but a Robbie Williams short film last year suggested they were still together and doing the silly stuff. However Make Me a Virgin is a step up for them and I think it is a step in the right direction.
The tone here is just the right mix of investigation and humour. Osama & US (and maybe Don't Panic) is a good example of what they used to do in how it presented itself as an investigation but was really just a micky take of anyone who they came across. Here they have kept a sense of humour but aren't looking for targets, which makes their film able to stand up as a genuine investigation. That is not to say that it is a brilliant film because it isn't, but it is a good one. The points are generally made by Campbell's narration whereas my personal preference would be for such a film to expose things rather than tell me them. That said it is still an interesting journey into these Christian groups even if I wasn't totally sure what the conclusions were because it wasn't that well structured.
The humour is gentle and works well as it isn't childish or harsh but is actually quite amusing. Campbell continues to be the best choice for front of camera stuff as he is a good presence and works well with people. Not to say that Wilson isn't but he does better behind the camera. The subjects mostly give a good account of themselves and it is a shame that nobody comes off really crazy, exploited, exploitative or such this is part of why maybe the investigation lacks teeth.
Overall though, despite this, it is a solid comic documentary that is a step in the right direction of Wilson and Campbell.
