"Welcome to the Dollhouse," a tragic comedy / drama written and directed by Todd Solondz ("Happiness"), has won many awards, including the celebrated Grand Jury prize at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival. Sadly though, as is so often true with independent films, it has not been seen by near enough people. Here lies the brutally honest tale of an unattractive 11 year old girl and her struggles with junior high life.
This unfortunate girl is named Dawn Weiner (Heather Matarazzo), a curse that lends her to be known around school as "Weinerdog." Like all 11 year olds, she is at an extremely awkward stage in life. She is bothered in particularly by Brandon McCarthy (Brendan Sexton III), a troubled older boy in her class who is first seen cheating off of her test. Both Dawn and Brandon are given detention when Dawn tells on him, and from here on, the two of them develop a love-hate relationship.
Dawn has a brother (Matthew Faber), a few years older than herself, who is only a little less awkward than she is. He plays in a small, dismal garage band, which finally catches a break when they get an older, popular guy, Steve Rodgers (Eric Mabius), to play guitar and sing for them. Dawn naturally develops a crush on Steve, and he at least does not push her away. Dawn and her brother constantly deal with their obnoxiously adorable younger sister to whom their parents devote most of their attention.
The story and all the characters in "Welcome to the Dollhouse" are about as honest as you will ever find the junior high age group depicted on film. They are so true to life with their words, their thoughts, and their actions, that many people (especially conservative adults) would probably be horrified to watch this film and take it as is. For those brave enough to do so, this film should be an eye opener to the struggles with life that pre-teens and teenagers often go through.
The acting is all around excellent, a very impressive feat for such a young director with an inexperienced cast. Heather Matarazzo and Brendan Sexton III are especially impressive in each of their respective first film roles. Their and many other's superb performances in this film have helped a lot of them enjoy many more film roles since "Welcome to the Dollhouse."
I highly recommend this brutally honest film to all who are willing to spend an hour and a half of their life and take in this sad, but often hilarious, story.
Todd Solondz became the most talked-about new director in recent years with this acclaimed comedy about the suburban condition. Winner of the Grand Ju...More at Buy.com
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