Artistically bankrupt

Palindromes: 7 // 8 // 6 // 7 // 9 // 7 // 9

Well, that makes Solondz four-for-four, I guess. His films are so distinctive despite not having a particularly unique visual style - one could call it Solondzian.

An underrated film from Todd Solondz. Its central idea of having multiple actresses (and an actor) play the same female character can be obtuse at first, more for the chapter breaks than the idea itself, but it is a very interesting take on how people remain the same, taking controversial subjects like abortion in its stride but never being shocking for the sake of it. In fact its a very humanist film, an aspect of Solondz that has been ignored but thankfully had grown the more films he's made.

I'm not sure what it was that completely failed to connect with me, since I can't really see any flaws in this - the actress gimmick mostly works, and the story says something very interesting things.

I personally thought the gimmick of sharing the same universe as Welcome to the Dollhouse was more distracting than the lead actor changing, but then again I am glad the comparison is pointed out as it might have felt more like a retread. The comedy and drama mix is still very well done, but not as much as Happiness making this my least favorite of Solondz's I've seen.

"Probably Solondz's best film and the only one that comes close to the disturbing depression and provocation of Happiness... Once again, Solondz somehow creates a world that is both skin-crawlingly realistic, and unrealistically, unrelentingly depressing."

I officially gave up on Todd Solondz. I'd like to think that I understand the so-called complexity of his films, and not repulsed by ignorance. Maybe it's something I lack as a viewer. But how could anyone tell? It was way too much for me. The ugliness and the allegedly noble aspect of it.

A very fucked up fairy tale. That's something I like.

Deceptively Moving

This is the strangest movie i ever seen..or think i have seen..cause i dont know what i just watched..It was a strange and odd pro choice or a girl going thru 80 personalities..I dont know..its Solenz..what can you say

Aviva, as avatar for young womanhood, has a view of femininity so twisted by her image/status obsessed mother that the only gender trait she can identify with is that of childbearer. But even this is not hers, her concept of family poisoned by disparate factions wielding opposing moral stances. Her struggle to make sense of it all makes us question our own motives to procreate, to nurture. It's an oftentimes sickening journey that should leave you exhausted and angry, and rightfully so.

I liked the directing and the plot structure. The plot itself had some weaker sections and much of the acting is subpar.

I may be in the minority, but I actually believe Solondz when he says he loves his characters. I think he highlights their flaws and ugliness because that's exactly what endears them to him. He invokes complex feelings: Yes, I laughed at the Sunshine family's dance number, but there's a tenderness there that is unmistakable.

Todd Solondz is an idiot.

"Solondz fancies himself a spokesman for the socially oppressed but does to celluloid what future serial killers of the world do to butterfly wings." - Ed Gonzalez

A deliciously horrible film I both did and didn't enjoy.