Being a big fan of the Todd Haynes directed mid-20th century period piece "Carol" (2015) and a big lover of the "Mildred Peirce" mini-series he also directed, I knew I had to see this, and it did not disappoint!
Other than the voices of some of the kids featured, which sounded far too contemporary for the time this is set in, the mood, the tone, and everything felt authentic. Therefore, as a lover of movies and TV from the 1950s to mid-1960s, I couldn't help but love this too- as it really put me into the mindset of the obsessed child fan. In other words, this was me in male form. I was that kid, except a girl version, and some decades younger, but this was me. I was obsessed with old b&w sitcoms and "I Love Lucy" was my favorite! I would draw her picture, read about her, watch her all the time, and talk about her any chance I could! She was my ideal, and I wanted to live in her simple, wholesome sitcom world! But, by the time I was watching her, Lucille Ball had already passed on, and I could have never met her like this boy met Dottie, but I still saw myself the whole time- and I was so happy for him!
Dottie was clearly based on my beloved Lucy (with a little Baby Snooks thrown in), so when Steven met her at the show rehearsal, it was like if I were to have met Lucille Ball! I just love that this happened for the character of Steven. My one complaint though, is that Dottie was a little too professional or a tad cold, if you will, during the meeting, when I would have hugged the child or called him sweetie or something, after he gave such a heartfelt gift to her. But, he didn't seem to take it badly, which I'm glad of, as I really identified with the kid, and would have hated to see him disillusioned by his hero.
Although this certainly carries a message of the pressures of gender roles and expectations surrounding those heaped onto boys and girls, there are no bad folks here, just folks who are products of their time, folks trying to fit in, and folks trying to get by. Steven's dad was hard on him, but he meant well. I understood his concern, because as a traditional parent from a more traditional time, naturally, a dad would want his son to fit in. I understood and sympathized with the dad, while also sympathizing with Steven. I didn't fit in either growing up, and my family also expressed concern over how often I talked about Lucy and how much I focused on her, I was told that it wasn't normal to be so one-track-minded and into a show, and that I should be more into the real-world, etc. Add to that the fact that I'm a product of a different time, and you've got a real generation-gap going on between me and my peers too.
At the core of this short film is not the issue of gender or gender-roles (that's just the vehicle that carries the film along), at the core is actually the theme of alienation that any oddball can relate to. Steven is alone, though he's happy being in his own little Dottie-loving bubble, until the outside world makes it an issue. He has no friends, but he has Dottie. That was me with Lucy. Other kids had each-other, I had my TV friends. Other kids just couldn't relate (and frankly, I couldn't relate to them either- most were too rude and modern for me), and it's the same to this day. I've learned that most people are cliquish pack animals, and that by their very nature, cliques thrive on exclusion.
This film was an enjoyable, touching portrait of childhood innocence, wonder, and the reality of alienation. Todd Haynes did a great job, and his use of music again came through here, to make this a short film that flowed so well, that by the end, I wished so much that it were longer!
My favorite part: the sweet mom, and how lovingly she related to her son, while also being a supportive wife to her concerned husband. People like her are real too, and they are the glue that holds families together! Lovely and touching.
