The Original 'Ugly Betty'

I came across this photo on Dlisted this morning, it's Heather Matarazzo in the 1995 Todd Solondz film Welcome to the Dollhouse. One look at misfit 'Dawn Wiener' and a certain popular TV character by the name of Betty, aka Ugly Betty comes to mind. Inspired, perhaps?

Have you ever seen a Todd Solondz film? In addition to Welcome to the Dollhouse, I've seen Happiness (1998) and Storytelling (2001). Solondz, who writes the scripts for all of his movies, has a real knack for creating compelling viewing that hooks you, easying you into his disturbing story lines with clever, uncontrived dialogue, fascinating characters and a kind of surreal atmosphere that feels a bit like a daydream. Then 'Augh! What the hell am I watching!' - things turn totally perverse, yet somehow it all fits, and you feel dirty and disgusted, but you can't look away.

I highly recommend his movies if you appreciate daring film making, but I wouldn't invite the parents over for Todd Solondz film night.