Kyle is a young man who works at a repetitious job in a doll factory in a small mid-western town. He works most closely with Martha, an overweight and less than attractive middle-aged woman whom Kyle depends on for rides to work. Martha's social life outside of work consists of taking care of her aging father. Rose, an attractive young woman, is hired and joins Martha and Kyle on their daily breaks. The conversations in the lunch room are perhaps the most mundane ever put in a commercial film.
I began to wonder what direction this could take that could possibly hold my attention, but Rose's entering the picture began to change the personal dynamics in way that kept my attention. Rose presented a challenge to Martha's maternal feelings for Kyle (in fact there is a suggestion that there may be more than maternal instincts involved). As the movie moves toward its final resolution we get to know the three characters: Kyle is a study in passivity, Rose knows she wants more and will do what it takes to get it, and Martha is seen to have strong emotions under her plain exterior.
The inside of the doll factory makes for a suitable backdrop for this downbeat tale among the working poor. I was surprised that making the dolls had not been more automated than is pictured, since many of the tasks are robotic. There is a lot of manual work involved, for example, one of Martha's jobs is to affix eyelashes to the dolls, and Kyle works on forming the doll legs.
The plot develops very subtly; this movie is not one that will set you back on your heels. The use of non-professional actors in all roles works here. I doubt that any director could have gotten this level of authenticity from professionals.
There are rewards here for the patient viewer.
I began to wonder what direction this could take that could possibly hold my attention, but Rose's entering the picture began to change the personal dynamics in way that kept my attention. Rose presented a challenge to Martha's maternal feelings for Kyle (in fact there is a suggestion that there may be more than maternal instincts involved). As the movie moves toward its final resolution we get to know the three characters: Kyle is a study in passivity, Rose knows she wants more and will do what it takes to get it, and Martha is seen to have strong emotions under her plain exterior.
The inside of the doll factory makes for a suitable backdrop for this downbeat tale among the working poor. I was surprised that making the dolls had not been more automated than is pictured, since many of the tasks are robotic. There is a lot of manual work involved, for example, one of Martha's jobs is to affix eyelashes to the dolls, and Kyle works on forming the doll legs.
The plot develops very subtly; this movie is not one that will set you back on your heels. The use of non-professional actors in all roles works here. I doubt that any director could have gotten this level of authenticity from professionals.
There are rewards here for the patient viewer.