 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Welcome to the Dollhouse
- Review Date: October 30, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
A dark look at adolescence; not for kids.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a dark comedy that deals with a tween's alienation from her classmates and family, and deals explicitly with her resulting feelings of rage. There are many references to sex between teens and tweens, a child abduction, and threats of rape. The plot is so off-beat that most younger teens would find it too weird to hold their interest anyway. This is a bleak film about childhood that will be most appreciated by adults.
What's the story?
Written and directed by indie fave Todd Solondz, WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE explores the dark underbelly of adolescence through the eyes of tortured tween Dawn Weiner. Dawn deals with issues common to coming-of-age films: coping with bullies, falling in love with older boys, dealing with siblings who seem smarter and prettier, and handling feelings of malaise and general ennui. But in Solondz's hands, Dawn's adolescence is a veritable horror show, she is viciously harassed at school and unloved at home. But this is by no means a feel-good story. Rather, Dawn harbors fantasies of killing her bratty younger sister and confronts a troubled bully who secretly likes her, yet repeatedly threatens to rape her. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the film is how the adults in her life fail her. Her mother withholds affection and her teachers abandon her to the cruelties of her tormentors.
Is it any good?
Viewers will find themselves rooting for Dawn when she mutilates dolls and destroys family property. This is rendered comically in the film, but it is dark stuff. Adults will be able to appreciate the universality of the film's message: adolescence is a tough time that many experience as being alienating and disconcerting. Dawn's trials and tribulations will likely, ring too true to many kids as well. The film is essentially a commentary on overly rosy portraits of adolescence on film. This fact is likely to escape young viewers. Thus, this is a great film for adults, but it is too sinister and gloomy for kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the many issues related to teenaged alienation that are dealt with here. Why is Dawn treated badly by her classmates? How does the film portray her as being different, visually, from the other characters in the film? The film's depiction of teen sex and drug use offers a good opportunity for families to discuss these issues. Why does Dawn assume that Brandon uses drugs? Would you feel the same way? Is Steve Rodgers's treatment of female characters fair or unfair? Finally, the storyline dealing with child abduction might allow families to talk about right vs. wrong behaviors and feelings. Is Missy's abduction Dawn's fault? How should Dawn have handled that situation differently? Why were Dawn's actions dangerous?
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AGE
Darkly amazing.
This movies revolves around Dawn, a not so pretty 12 or 13 year old who gets relentlessly bullied at school and ignored or mocked at home. She has no friends except for one boy who threatens to rape her (Though they make it apparent he doesn't exactly know what it means) It's terrible and darkly hilarious and a very good quirky film and funny look at suburban life. Kind of like American Beauty in a way, but maybe not as good.
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AGE
loved it. i can kinda relate to this one :X
Sexual Content: references to sex and rape (about 4)
Violence: references to kidnapping (3) and rape (4)
Language: Too Many to name. its all here. F--k, b---h, f----t, f-g, a--hole, c--t, etc.
Drugs/Alchohol: one of the main characters friends is a druggie
Commercialism: Walt Disney World is mentioned about 3 times.
Social Behavior: middle school kids relentlessly taunt main characters (much like middle school kids do in real life [trust me i would know])
overall. this is a good movie for about 14/15+ some of the content will go right over the kids that are a bit younger's heads. definately realistic. some people might be able to relate slightly which might make it kind of tough for some people to bear. good story. enjoy!
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Todd Solondz |
| Cast: | Heather Matarazzo, Matthew Faber, Victoria Davis |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 22, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | August 3, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language |
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