Film 33 (9/27/2005)

Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

Director: Todd Solondz

Recommended by: Eye Gore

Has Fentablar seen this before?: No.

Anyone who grew up in suburban white America and wasn't a "popular" kid will probably relate very well to Welcome to the Dollhouse - at least, in some respects. This is a fairly humorous film which puts the spotlight on the trials and tribulations of an unattractive, unpopular seventh-grade girl, Dawn Weiner (Heather Matarazzo).

Facing social ineptitudes as well as burgeoning hormones and teen angst, Dawn finds herself constantly searching for belonging in the world - just as most seventh grade kids do. In the end, it doesn't seem that much has changed for Dawn - still ignored by parents, still unattractive and unpopular, still very few (if any) friends - but she does seem somewhat accepting of the fact that life can really, really suck sometimes, but it probably does get better.

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Plot Effectiveness: 3/5. Not everyone can relate to this film - but I don't think such a film really exists, anyhow.

Cinematography/Shot Selection: 3/5. Captured the feel of junior high in that environment pretty well.

Overall Acting: 4/5. I felt that everyone did a great job in this film.

Score/Soundtrack: 3/5. Nothing too spectacular.

OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5

~Fentablar~