Should I show this in class? - Welcome to the Dollhouse (1996) Discussion

I was thinking the same, and I teach 6th grade. I might settle for something more PG, like Napolean Dynomite.

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The teens probably have seen worse, but that doesn't mean that the school will allow bad content that they don't approve of. A film like this will imply a school is inept at dealing with bullying and just allows it, you really think they want that idea postulated?

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] ckanelevy 13 years ago

You know what would be a much better movie to show? "The Breakfast Club," which I think could be a useful teaching tool. I really don't see any redeeming social value to "Welcome to the Dollhouse." For one thing, there's not much to admire about the main character, Dawn, whereas there's something to find positive about each kid in the Breakfast Club.

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[–] ss5mmyers 13 years ago

Turn it off before the ending though. It sucks, it'll teach the kids that:
1) Girls want a gangster if he'll pay attention to her when her parents won't.
2) The smart guys don't get girls.
3) Outsiders should change themselves since it'll attract the jocks.
4) Parents somehow are responsible for high school cliques.

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[–] ckanelevy 13 years ago

Interesting post, but I disagree with you. First, Clair perhaps changes Bender too, and it's unfair to call Bender a "gangster" when there's a definite humanity about him that we catch glimpses of. Second, Brian wasn't trying to get either Allison or Clair, but perhaps this experience might make him more confident to get girls and will teach people like Clair to find merit in smart kids (who knows? Maybe Claire introduces Brian to one of her friends the next week who takes a shine to him). Third - the "change" Allison went through was to open up and be more accepting of "mainstream" kids. I understand what you're saying with Claire putting make-up on her, but I don't see any harm in improving one's appearance with a little rouge. Fourth - the parents are awful in this movie and, now that I am one with a 14 and 12 year old, I understand more than ever about how much the behavior and attitude of parents can affect their children.

So, in conclusion, I think Breakfast Club is a wonderful teaching tool for both parents and children and I think the ending is just fine.

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[–] RockaDee13 12 years ago

I'd think 10th graders could handle it. They are what? Sixteen?

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[–] ss5mmyers 12 years ago

That isn't the point, the point is no school board would want a movie with such a bleak message about adolescence that makes a school faculty look so uncaring and useless. The heads of the school don't like reality and would rather some unrealistic take on bullying like Lucas instead.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] PsychoDingo 11 years ago

the pot smoking might not go over too well with parents and school administrators

I'm proud to say my poetry is only understood by that minority which is aware.

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[–] kartoon-1 11 years ago

Well of course the schools don't want movies shown that depict them as useless.

Because the TRUTH HURTS!

It happens in both reality AND fiction.

Bully harasses outcast, faculty does nothing.

Outcast fights back, faculty pounces on him.

Bullying continues, faculty turns blind eye.

Outcast shoots bully, outcast is the bad guy.

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] jefgg 11 years ago

For real?

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[–] dwhepworth 9 years ago

I think your students would love it.

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[–] kingcarcas 9 years ago

lol no way! Esp. as they're still going through some of these things.

Assume nothing; Question everything

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