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.
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.