Welcome to the Dollhouse **** (1995, Heather Matarazzo) – Classic Movie Review 1371

Writer-director Todd Solondz’s creepy, highly impressive 1995 American independent black comedy movie centres on the trials and tribulations of a grotty 13-year-old schoolgirl called Dawn Wiener (Heather Matarazzo in her film debut, aged actually 13). 

Dawn has the misfortune to be an uncommonly plain, shy, unpopular seventh grader facing an epic battle against indifferent parents, snobbish classmates, a smart older brother, an attractive younger sister and, most of all, her own insecurities. It’s no wonder she’s troubled, when her school mates call her ‘Dog-Face’ or ‘Wiener-Dog.’

Funny, painful and challenging, with a particularly poignant and insightful screenplay by Solondz, it won the main Grand Jury Prize at 1996’s Sundance Film Festival. Matarazzo won the 1997 Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance.

There is no sex, nudity or violence portrayed, but the film is still a very disturbing experience, uniquely so. It has a 15 certificate.

Solondz says: ‘What is it about the seventh grade? My film attempts to explore some of the realities of the transition into adulthood that this time of life throws into relief. The film is a comedy because that is the only way I know how to deal with excruciating torment.’

Brendan Sexton III, Ken Leung, Daria Kalinina, Matthew Faber, Angela Pietropinto, Eric Mabius, Bill Buell, Victoria Davis, Christina Brucato, Christina Vidal, Siri Howard and Telly Ponditis are also in the cast.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1371

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