Surrender Dorothy (1998) User Reviews

I'll be honest

[rgcustomer · 7/10 · 22 November 2009]

There is no way this film is either a 1 or a 10, as most commenters seem to be giving it.

However, on the whole, it's a good film.

I liked the use of black and white. I think it added a kind of creepy and clinical separation between the viewer and the actors.

The music was also perfectly matched to the scenes.

In some ways, the film can be viewed as a dark comedy, rather than a psychological thriller or drama. There are certainly points which (to me anyway) were laugh-out-loud funny, and not just because of the guy in a dress.

I think it's important to note that none of the main characters in the film are gay or trans, so if you're mad about the portrayal of such relationships in this film, maybe you should pay closer attention next time.

This film a sort of cross between Misery (1990) and Requiem For A Dream (2000) and would probably make a good double-feature with either film. Similar subject matter is covered from a different perspective in the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001). All three are great films.

Basically a straight sociopath gets off only on dominating women, even in subtle ways like stealing their forks and mouthing on them later for gratification. Failing utterly to find women he can dominate freely, he gets the idea in his head to use his straight heroin-addict buddy as a sex slave named "Dorothy". It's about this half-forced relationship. The guy is free to go at any time, but stays for the next fix (cough).

Note that the title isn't "Surrender, Dorothy" (i.e. Dorothy, Surrender). It's "Surrender Dorothy" (i.e. Free Dorothy).

Frankly, I'm amazed this story ever got made. But I'm glad it did.

To filmman56, an imbecile

[markci · 5/10 · 19 April 2012]

*** "Why is it that gay filmmakers are only capable of making films about their favorite subject... their own sexual proclivities/fantasies?" - filmman56 ***

Really, half-wit? I must have missed the gay subtext in Romeo and Juliet, because Franco Zeffirelli is certainly a gay director.

Or the gay stuff in all those Merchant/Ivory productions, because James Ivory is certainly a gay director.

Maybe they cut the gay scenes out of Good Will Hunting, because Gus Van Sant is definitely a gay director.

My Fair Lady must have been about cross-dressing, because George Cukor was as gay as Liberace, and a director.

Obviously Swimming Pool was all gay stuff because François Ozon is a gay director.

There must have been more gay sex in those Brat Pack and John Grisham movies that I remember, because Joel Schumacher is definitely a gay director.

The perverted themes in Stargate, Independence Day, the Patriot, Godzilla and the Day After Tomorrow must have gone right over my head, because Roland Emmerich is an epically gay director.

And definitely Frankenstein and his monster were doing the nasty, because James Whale was a gay director.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I think your cluelessness has been amply demonstrated.

Above Average.

[pdbodyshop · 6/10 · 17 July 2022]

I must admit that I only watched this film because I am a big fan of Diane Keaton. She is a wonderful actress whose movies are mostly comical. She plays a more serious role in this one all though there are some funny scenes in it. I gave it a only a six because I feel that Diane was out of her comfort zone in this one. The surrounding cast is just above average. What is this movie about ? Watch it for yourself. It's worth the watch.

Ugly meets Ugly!!!

[mjmarkic · 1/10 · 27 October 2002]

Don't waste your time... I couldn't even finish watching this annoying crap... Claims on the advertising for this "film" claim it's a unique look at a gay relationship? Again, gay men are really women, so turn them into transvestites... Who writes this garbage? How about Ugly, meets Ugly..?

Offender Mostly

[mlevel · 2/10 · 1 December 2001]

This film seemed to be going for shock value, but without much sense of reality in the script or in the acting.

No addict of any kind would submit to the indignities depicted here unless predisposed to do so.

I rated this 2 out of 10, though, because of a pretty cool soundtrack, and because "Dorothy" was kinda cute. ;-)

If you have the chance, SEE IT!!!

[Mumsly · 10/10 · 25 April 1999]

Screened at the Roger Ebert Overlooked Film Festival, this is one of the most disturbing, yet funny films I have ever seen. I will never look at domestic abuse in the same light. If you get a chance to view this undiscovered gem, I highly suggest you do.

Sick with funny moments

[D Throat · 1/10 · 9 February 1999]

This movie about a sexually depraved young man starts out good enough, but as soon as Dorothy appears, the story turns for the worse. Definitely not for everyone, though one could say the makers have been bold enough to make a movie about this subject.

I could care less, frankly, and was sometimes unpleasantly surprised by the eagerness of both leads to make it a realistic experience. Vote: 5/6

one of the best of the year

[petshop · 10/10 · 6 February 1999]

A brooding film about a dishwasher who uses a junkie's addiction to slowly force him into sexual servitude. It begins first with a simple apron with the name Dorothy stitched in it. As the boundary is pushed each day, the junkie ultimately must dress and act like Dorothy 24/7.

This potentially exploitative film cleverly becomes a character study as we see the trip that the abuser takes to come into the disturbing arrangement that he and his victim ultimately reach.

Finally got to see it

[iamnobody22 · 10/10 · 26 August 2001]

I've been waiting forever for this movie to come out on video and now that it finally has I got a chance to see it. It fully lived up to my expectations. The general consensus among most critics is that in order for a movie (or book) to be good, the audience has to identify with the characters. Here's a case where both of the characters are complete slimebags and the movie is still good. I feel no sympathy for the Lahn character as he locks the key to his own cell, complaining the whole time. The Trevor character as the sadistic misogynist victimizer is equally if not more repulsive. My only complaint with the movie was the whole scene with the prostitute seemed pretty forced.

Brilliance....pure brilliance!

[cd0882 · 10/10 · 14 April 2000]

This movie lit me up from the beginning....it's somewhat of an unusual setting, but it's great. The way the main characters manipulate each other...it's great. And the music.....Chris Matarazzo is a musical genius. Everything fits perfectly. Bravo Kevin DiNovis! Bravo Chris Matarazzo!