Welcome to the Dollhouse

Todd Solondz's view of adolescence inverts what independent American cinema of the period usually did: the character who suffers here is not likeable. Dawn Wiener is in seventh grade in suburban New Jersey and comes last both at school and at home. Her parents pay her no attention, her brother is clever and favoured, her little sister is pretty and indulged. Her classmates torment her daily. The film does not strengthen her against any of it; given the chance she does exactly the same to someone else. Solondz declines to absolve the victims of bullying either. Heather Matarazzo plays Dawn and won Best Debut Performance at the Independent Spirit Awards. The film took the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and launched Solondz's career. Who it is for: viewers who like black comedy about adolescence with no nostalgia and an uncomfortable level of honesty. Who it is not for: anyone who needs someone to identify with. Nobody is redeemed, and a threat of rape in one scene is played in a joking register, which is now the film's most contested element.