Elizabeth's Movie Night Review: Surrender Dorothy (1998)

 

Welcome to my First Movie Review, honestly this will be a bit Unpolished as I'm far more used to Reviewing Games, however it's Important to Step into the Sand. So in these Reviews, I'll be focusing more on my Take of the Films and my Interpretations and Lessons that can be Learned and there are some in this Film.

So as I'm sure you've seen on Wikipedia, this movie's Plot revolves on an Addict and a Friend of his Dealer who Essentially Force Feminizes him. The ending of course is rather up to Interpretation from my Perspective I believe that he has Chosen Death. There is a Reason why which is my Interpretation.

So, while many believe this is about Addiction and Manipulation, that is only Surface Level Knowledge. My belief is that this Film is a Critique of Conversion, think of it this way, Trevor tried to force Lanh into becoming what he wants him to be Dorothy.  However despite all of the Opioids and Premarin Trevor gave him, it didn't really Change who he Really is. It only made Lanh more Miserable, if you Reversed this it would be someone Forcing a Trans Girl to be a Cis Man, which is sadly still Accepted in Several States. If you don't want to see Lanh suffer then why would you want your Trans Neighbor/Friend/even Family to be so Miserable being Forced to be something they're not to the Point of Death.

For a Film of this Budget, it's Surprisingly well done, and I'm Glad the Film was shot in the Great City of Philadelphia in my Home State. The Houses in this Movie are a bit Shabby even for the Budget. John Waters had a Camera and some Friends and he made several Masterpieces such as Pink Flamingos. However unlike the Outfits in Divine's Trilogy, the Costumes are quite Amazing, I love the one in the Screenshot I took. I also like the Insignificant Details such as the Food, being a Foodie myself who Learned to Cook Spaghetti and Ramen when she was 10, then began Cooking for her Family in Secret at 11-14 and let her Older Sister take the Credit, it's nice to see these Basic Recipes again such as Spaghetti and Soup. The acting is quite Impressive as well, it's a shame this Movie didn't get the Recognition it deserved for it's Groundbreaking Performances. The 90s truly were a Different Time that's for sure.

Look forward to Another Movie Review Tomorrow. I'm going to Review a Favorite of mine, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde, I'm a Fan of the Hammer Franchise.

-Elizabeth