Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

A bit depressing to be a fun Dollhouse
Todd Solondz does it again and for a reason. We're introduce to Dawn Wiener (Heather Matarazzo), an awkward seventh grader who is put down by her peers because of her physical appearance. The taunting Dawn endures is extreme and does not come across as even slightly reminiscent of anything that happened in my high school, but this fact does not take away from the empathy we feel for her as she struggles through her daily life. As if school weren't bad enough, Dawn's home life doesn't leave much to be desired. Her older brother Mark (Matthew Faber), is the "king of the geeks". Her parents offer no support either. Dawn's other sibling, Missy (Daria Kalinina), is the darling of the family who can do no wrong. She simply flits around the house in her pink tu-tu and makes Dawn's life look hellish by comparison.

Dawn's life is further complicated by Brandon McCarthy (Brendan Sexton Jr.), the misunderstood juvenile who has taken a liking to her. At the beginning of their "relationship" he tells her he will rape her. This does not happen because of various circumstances, but Dawn ends up falling for this tough guy and eventually losing him when he runs away. Throughout the movie, it appears as if everyone in her life pours their derision upon anything she does, exposing all her weaknesses however carefully they might be hidden. Dawn, in turn, passes this on to the few people that she gets close to.

This was not a realistic depiction of the hells of junior high school. For one thing, girls would pick on other girls, but in no way, whatsoever, would any of them force another to sit on the crapper in front of another as a forms of bullying. These are 11-12 year olds? Uh uh. Maybe 4 years older that would happen, but no one at that age would succumb to a type of humiliation that gross and tasteless.

Our lead character is played brilliantly, and shows her determination in the face of endless adversity - in fact, the acting all around is excellent. But the movie denies the moments of redemption. Such a strong young warrior as Dawn would certainly have had some triumphs to share. While the movie is slow at times, it does pull on your heart string, and is definitely worth watching.

Welcome to the Dollhouse
A harrowingly accurate, darkly hilarious look at that time of life most of us would prefer to forget, Solondz's portrait of gawky pre-adolescence visits all the landmarks of childhood hell: peer abuse, sexual awkwardness, and the general sense that people are the source of all misery. Matarazzo is fantastic as the ostracized, alienated tween who suffers the insults and indignities of her peers with stoic resignation. Sexton ("Kids") also registers well as Dawn's cruel, glowering classmate. "Dollhouse" isn't for younger kids, but teens and grown-ups will appreciate its bitingly funny blend of pathos and punishment.

Hysterical...Helped Me Through Junior High
I was an outsider in grade school and jr. high for no good reason, as is the case for most kids on the "outside". It was really hard for me to deal with things, and I was unsure if things would ever get better.

My mom took me to see "Welcome to The Dollhouse" at the independent movie theatre when it came out. I could uncannily relate to what Dawn was going through, although I'm an only child (which is also difficult, no matter WHAT they say!) My mom and I talked about the movie, and it really put things into perspective Things eventually got better for me, and I figured the same happened to Dawn as well (if she really existed), I felt such a personal connection to Dawn.

It's still a fave of mine because it reminds me how far I have come, and we all have come, from the horrors of junior high.

Watch and enjoy this gem of a movie. It might change your life! :)