Review of Welcome to the Dollhouse (1996) by Chris Z — 02 May 2013

Todd Solondz knows how to tell it like it is. "Welcome to the Dollhouse" is a stark look at middle school life centered on unpopular outcast Dawn "Wiener Dog" Wiener and her misfortunes, which range from chasing after a high school crush to getting her little sister kidnapped by a pederast.

The acting from Heath Matazarro is exceptional; her character isn't likable as much as she is easy to relate to, and she gives possibly one of the best debut performances ever. Solondz has a way of showing how oblivious, manipulative and pathetic some people are and how quick they are able to turn on each other, and he does so by making each scenario darkly hilarious.

"Welcome to the Dollhouse" is an uncomfortable viewing mostly because it brings back unfortunate memories, but it's a very funny, well-written and relatively honest motion picture.