Surrender Dorothy (film) explained

Surrender Dorothy
Director:Kevin DiNovis
Producer:Richard Goldberg
Starring:Peter Pryor
Kevin DiNovis
Jason Centeno
Elizabeth Casey
Marcos Muniz
Music:Christopher Matarazzo
Cinematography:Jonathan Kovel
Editing:Kevin DiNovis
Distributor:TLA Releasing
Runtime:87 minutes[1]
Country:United States

Surrender Dorothy is an independent film by director Kevin DiNovis which won first place at the 1998 Slamdance Film Festival.[2] The film stars Peter Pryor and Kevin DiNovis (who performed when the designated actor left the production a week before filming).[3] The film is shot in black and white.[4] It is also notable for featuring the first film role for Elizabeth Banks,[5] who appears in the credits as "Elizabeth Casey."[6]

The film was shot in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Plot

After the heroin-addicted Lanh robs his roommate Denis, Lanh attempts to hide out at the home of Trevor, Denis's best friend. Trevor is afraid of women. He uses Lanh's drug addiction to manipulate him, eventually transforming Lanh into Trevor's idea of a perfect girlfriend.

Cast

Reception

Critical reception for the film has been mixed. The Stranger criticized it, saying that although it "makes the most of its tiny budget" it was ultimately "inarticulate and immature".[7] Sam Adams of the Philadelphia City Paper admitted that the film was "not without its flaws" but was ultimately "a bold, ballsy and attention-getting debut".[8] Total Film panned it, giving the DVD release two stars and calling it a "yawn fest".[9] James Berardinelli gave it three and a half stars, praising DiNovis's performance.[10] In The A.V. Club, Noel Murray called it "memorable, but...also grubby, harsh, and lacking in wit".[11] Leonard Klady wrote in Variety that it was "disturbing, hard-edged tale of physical abuse and sexual aberration that pulls no punches" but that it was ultimately "decidedly for niche tastes". Roger Ebert selected it for his first Overlooked Film Festival in 1999[12] in Champaign, Illinois.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Surrender Dorothy . TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies. September 14, 2021.
  2. News: Warner . David . January 1998 . Surrender Kevin . . dead . https://archive.today/20130221233218/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/011598/h&r3.shtml . 2013-02-21 . citypaper.net.
  3. News: Hornaday . Ann . May 5, 1999 . No choice but to surrender. 'Dorothy' director Kevin Di Novis was forced into the act when his star dropped out. The results speak for themselves. . 1E . . dead . September 14, 2021 . https://archive.today/20230512070523/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-05-05-9905050279-story.html . May 12, 2023.
  4. News: Klady . Leonard . January 28, 1998 . Surrender Dorothy . Variety . September 14, 2021 . Slamdance Grand Prize winner 'Surrender Dorothy' is a disturbing, hard-edged tale of physical abuse and sexual aberration that pulls no punches. The psychologically wrenching film --- shot in black-and-white --- is decidedly for niche tastes..
  5. News: 'Hunger Games' Star Elizabeth Banks Pans 'Surrender Dorothy', Director Fires Back. Erin. Carlson. April 25, 2012 . The Hollywood Reporter. September 14, 2021.
  6. News: The Philly past of 'Pitch Perfect 2' and 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' star Elizabeth Banks. A. D. . Amorosi. . June 16, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210915012614/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/movies/The-Philly-past-of-Pitch-Perfect-2-and-Hunger-Games-Mockingjay-star-Elizabeth-Banks.html . September 15, 2021 . She made her film debut right here in Philly with 1998's Surrender Dorothy, under the stage name 'Elizabeth Casey.'. September 14, 2021.
  7. Web site: Inarticulate and Immature: Dorothy Needs a Spanking. The Stranger. September 30, 1999. Steve . Wiecking . September 14, 2021.
  8. News: Adams . Sam . May 7, 1998 . Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema . . dead . https://archive.today/20130413170503/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/050798/flmfst.festindies.shtml . 2013-04-13 . citypaper.net.
  9. Web site: March 1, 2004 . Surrender Dorothy . dead . https://archive.today/20130204221508/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/dvd/surrender-dorothy . February 4, 2013 . TotalFilm.com.
  10. Web site: James . Berardinelli. James Berardinelli . Surrender Dorothy. reelviews.net. James Berardinelli. 1998. September 14, 2021.
  11. News: Noel . Murray. Surrender Dorothy. avclub.com. April 19, 2002 . September 14, 2021.
  12. Web site: Films. ebertfest.com. Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20030623162258/http://ebertfest.com/one/films.htm. June 23, 2003 . September 14, 2021.

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