Virgin Alexander

Virgin Alexander is a 2011 comedy drama film directed by Sean Fallon and Charlotte Barrett, an independent gem that is fresh, energetic with elements which blend well together to create an engrossing story of love, ambitions, struggle and redemption. The movie brings together a talented cast including David Dastmalchian, Mika Boorem and Bronson Pinchot, who each add another layer of depth to their respective characters.

The film showcases the existence of a 26-year-old man named Alexander, played by Rick Faugno. Alexander, despite being intelligent and hardworking, is still a virgin - a theme that becomes a running thread in the movie with its own purpose in the story. Alexander finds himself as a constant subject of ridicule in his close-knit, small town community for his uneventful romantic life and lack of "adventurous" ambitions.

Living a mundane life cleaning the houses of the wealthier residents of the town, Alexander is notably the sole owner of his vacated family home, which sits on a rather sizable piece of land. This resort-like home becomes the central pivot of the storyline, underpinning the actions and fates of the characters moving forward.

David Dastmalchian in his role as Bim Norse well engages the audience with his quirky, awkward charm, and an undercurrent of ambition that is expressed rather unremarkably. Mika Boorem playing the role of Ruby breezes through the script giving an impactful and worthy portrayal of her character which checks all the boxes - a slightly mysterious but dreamy girl-next-door with a surprising past.

If you think this is your run-of-the-mill coming of age story, you'll be delighted to find more layers to it. When Alexander's house comes under the threat of foreclosure, he is inspired by his friend Bim Norse, played by David Dastmalchian, to turn his property into a brothel. Teaming up with the eccentric Bim and beautiful out-of-towner Ruby played by Mika Boorem, Alexander embarks on a life-changing adventure, turning his childhood home into an unconventional brothel.

The film plays out this absurd concept with a surprising amount of sensitivity and empathy. As Alexander navigates this completely foreign path, he finds himself facing challenges he never anticipated - from managing a frazzled local clientele to grappling with personal moralities and emotional roadblocks.

Alexander remains a character who is earnest and likeable despite his irregular actions, carrying the goodwill throughout the cinematic piece which humanises the story. Along with well-placed humor and drama, the film is full of surprises, taking wild turns but never steering away from a sense of genuine human connection.

While chaotic, the brothel brings Alexander on a journey that pulls him out of his shell and compels him to grow. This is where Faugno's understated performance really shines. He expertly portrays an innocent man wrestling with his identity and his place in the world while taking on an unusual venture to save his family home.

Boorem delivers a fantastic performance as Ruby, who adds a nice romantic twist to the story and plays a key role in driving the narrative of Alexander's transformation. Character actors Pinchot, Elizabeth Masucci, and Patrick Zeller also breathe life into a colorful local ensemble that adds a richness to the backdrop of Alexander’s journey.

"Virgin Alexander" is a distinctive film that manages to take a wild premise and turn it into a meaningful exploration of personal growth, friendship and redemption. Its sterling narrative combined with slick comic beats and authentic performances renders it a memorable cinematic experience. It’s a quirky, compassionate tale that reminds us of the importance of human encounters and how they shape one's life, regardless of how unorthodox those encounters may be.