The Dolls with Attitude: A Short Movie Review

By Aileen Aurell Setiawan (Gr. 12)

The Dolls with Attitude is a movie directed by a Japanese movie maker and set in Japan, which remarks on society and its current state. The theme of this short movie is horror and sci-fi, which mainly tells us about a girl who realizes that she’s turned into a doll and ends up becoming an idol because of her permanent smile.

This movie emphasizes the concept of identity and the idea of hiding behind the mask as a type of timidity via the usage of diverse themes and colors. Perhaps this video is a critique of ourselves, in which we admire superstars for their individualism while cynically emulating them, setting us on a dangerous road.

Even though the protagonist wears a mask throughout the movie, her emotions are palpable, and as a spectator, I empathized with her almost instantly. The narrative was also fantastic. It was fascinating and participatory, and it piqued my interest. It made me want to find out who Eri’s actual identity was and tell her that it was alright to express her feelings.

My impression of the movie’s direction is also excellent; the whole flow of the picture is well-planned. The narrative is excellent, engaging, and timely. Every part of the picture appears to have been well planned and executed. Although the finale has a grim twist, it makes more sense than a traditional happily-ever-after ending.

I think the movie conveys a great message about how society has certain expectations of you, and if you go against those expectations, you are labeled as weird or a threat. As a result, many people lose their individuality and identity in striving to adhere to those expectations, leaving you an empty shell of the person you were. Just like in the movie, when Eri sought to reclaim her identity, she didn’t even know who she was, so she continued to hide behind a mask.

So, in my opinion, although being optimistic may help to address issues, forcing oneself to be cheerful is harsh. It’s not urging them to give up their joy, but facing ourselves, facing our feelings, is more vital to all of us. We may sense the preciousness of happiness by tolerating bad feelings. Just remove our masks rather than wait till we turn into a doll, like Eri.