Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

An awkward seventh-grader struggles to cope with inattentive parents, snobbish class-mates, a smart older brother, an attractive younger sister and her own insecurities in suburban New Jersey.

Director:

Todd Solondz

Writer:

Todd Solondz

Stars:

Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis

4 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Heather Matarazzo	...	Dawn Wiener
Victoria Davis	...	Lolita
Christina Brucato	...	Cookie
Christina Vidal	...	Cynthia
Siri Howard	...	Chrissy
Brendan Sexton III	...	Brandon McCarthy (as Brendan Sexton Jr.)
Telly Pontidis	...	Jed
Herbie Duarte	...	Lance
Scott Coogan	...	Troy
Daria Kalinina	...	Missy Wiener
Matthew Faber	...	Mark Wiener
Josiah Trager	...	Kenny
Ken Leung	...	Barry
Dimitri DeFresco	...	Ralphy (as Dimitri Iervolino)
Rica Martens	...	Mrs. Grissom

Storyline

Seventh-grade is no fun. Especially for Dawn Weiner when everyone at school calls you 'Dog-Face' or 'Wiener-Dog.' Not to mention if your older brother is 'King of the Nerds' and your younger sister is a cutesy ballerina who gets you in trouble but is your parents' favorite. And that's just the beginning--her life seems to be falling apart when she faces rejection from the older guy in her brother's band that she has a crush on, her parents want to tear down her 'Special People's Club' clubhouse, and her sister is abducted....

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Plot Keywords:

school | social outcast | first crush | bullying | bully | 

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Taglines:

Not all girls want to play with dolls.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Heather Matarazzo later said that this movie, and especially the scene where her classmates call her character a "lesbo", made her aware of her own homosexuality. She stated that at the time, she didn't even know what lesbo meant, but after doing some research, she realized: "Oh my God! That's what I am, a lesbian!" However, due to her Catholic upbringing, she later felt "apologetic, ashamed, secretive", and it took her nine more years before she was comfortable enough to officially come out.

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Goofs

While in the gymnasium listening to a speech, there are three bullies sitting behind Dawn spitting spit balls at her. She is spit ball-free in one shot, but in the next shot, a close-up, she has several on her.

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Quotes

Ralphie: [after Brandon leaves Dawn's backyard] Don't worry, Dawn. Brandon's just a retard.
Dawn Weiner: FAGGOT!

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Connections

Referenced in Hitch (2005)

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Soundtracks

Welcome to the Dollhouse
Music and Lyrics by Jill Wisoff
Sung by Daniel Rey
Produced by Joel Diamond
Courtesy of Fantasy Creature Productions (BMI)

User Reviews

Bravo Solondz!

"Welcome to the Dollhouse" is a fresh, creative, no frills pic about a junior high school girl who is the personification of "uncool". This poignant film could be dark comedy, light drama, satire or even farce depending on how its interpreted. However that may be, it shows in painful detail the assassination of the self esteem of a sweet, kind, and thoughtful girl who wants little more than to be liked. Entertaining as it may be, "...Dollhouse" is a movie with a message for everyone who has ever been 12.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Faggots and Retards

Filming Locations:

The Playpen, 687 8th Ave, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,569,019

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,569,019

Company Credits

Production Co:

Suburban Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1