Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Duration: 87 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Todd Solondz
Stars: Heather Matarazzo, Eric Mabius and Brendan Sexton III
IMDb score:
7,3 (40.538)
Releasedate: 24 May 1996
Welcome to the Dollhouse plot
"Not all girls want to play with dolls."
Dawn Wiener, 11, is a high school student in New Jersey. The ugly duckling is constantly bullied by her classmates and she is not understood at home either. One day she falls in love with a classmate of her older brother. In addition to the early happiness that the first crush brings, she also experiences feelings of pain and humiliation here. Dawn wonders if life outside New Jersey won't be rosier.
Actors and actresses
Dawn Wiener
Lolita
Cookie
Cynthia
Chrissy
Brandon McCarthy
Jed
Lance
Troy
Missy Wiener
Reviews & comments
Baboesjka
-
- 891 messages
- 1994 votes
Nice! I had fun with this movie from start to finish. An interesting story, well acted, funny humor, but also very pathetic at times. I think Dawn is an interesting girl, and I like the sister. Personally, I like movies that are about misfits. I give 4.5*, and I have a favorite!
Translated from Dutch · View original
perceived
-
- 1816 messages
- 5639 votes
After at least a decade this film has been revised and it has really lost none of its power.
Thought the tone was a lot milder than I remembered. Quite a contrast with its successor and (my) favorite of Solondz Happiness (1998) as well as (my second favourite) Palindromes (2004) Not so much a point of criticism, more an observation. Plot remains strong and has a smooth and delicious course, just a lot lighter in nature than I thought. I have come to appreciate the film even more because of its timeless character and its fine, here and there nice and raw, soundtrack that connects seamlessly with the rest.
So cool review. Moreover, I finally had a good reason and mood to finally watch Dark Horse (2011).
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
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- 7452 messages
- 4430 votes
Immediately in the first scene, protagonist Dawn Wiener is unequivocally characterized by writer/director Todd Solondz. With her childlike choice of clothes, her large glasses, her ponytail and her naive attitude, she is the classic personification of the outsider. There is no free space for her in the cafeteria during the lunch break. Classmates call her Wiener dog. And at every opportunity she is pointed out by them to her ugly appearance. Things are not going well at home either. Her little sister and her talented older brother get the parental attention so that Dawn is an outsider at home too.
Welcome to the Dollhouse is not a film that asks the viewer to suffer enough with its main character. Although the film is an at times uncomfortable viewing experience, Solondz does not dismiss Dawn as pathetic and passive. Dawn can defend itself well against the hate campaigns and bullying. With a keen sense of nuance, Solondz constantly confuses the viewer. Should he now sympathize with the suffering of Dawn or can he also have a little devilish satisfaction if Dawn gets the stocking on the head after a low-level (counter) action. Compassion and amusement. The film evokes both emotions. It is an intriguing line on which the viewer balances.
The film is infused with black humor that provides the almost endless series of humiliating experiences with a perspective and optimistic touch. The humor makes the tragedy bearable and also puts the weight of feelings such as gloating and compassion into perspective. Very pleasant. The humor is definitely witty and makes watching the movie less awkward.
Great movie.
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