Todd Haynes is well known for being one of the biggest contributors for the New Queer Cinema movement in the early 1990s. One of the earlier films he made which explores concepts within that realm is Dottie Gets Spanked, which chronicles a little boy named Steven Gale living in 1960s America who is obsessed with The Dottie Show. However, the queering influence from the show and Steven's fascination with spanking begins to concern his father. While I can definitely admire the film's intent, it might not be for everybody.
One notable factor to mention is that the film is semi-autobiographical. Steven is pretty much Haynes' alter ego as a child, and the Gale family themselves are a satirical take on the typical suburban family that do more damage to the child instead of protecting them. Steven doesn't understand what his father and others see so negatively about him, hence the constant paranoia that plays a key role in his state of being. He makes a drawing of his hero Dottie getting spanked which fascinates him, yet it only leads to the kid feeling more uninformed about what these interests could lead to him later down the road. Even when someone feels they have to let go of a fantasy, it will never leave them that easily.
With all that said, when I mentioned how this is not for everybody, I meant that in how surreal it is. This does make sense regarding the psychological aspects coming from our main protagonist, but there are times when the surrealism can feel perplexing and the transitions from Steven's mind to the real world aren't always made clear. Also, I just wish the whole thing could've been longer, as there wasn't enough room to really delve entirely into the minds of the parents. Then again, what we see in the film tells us more than any dialogue ever could. Nevertheless, as bizarre as it may be, Dottie Gets Spanked is a solid exploration of childhood rebel against their powerlessness from parents. Queer or not, I think anyone can take home that ideology of hiding your inner differences from your own authority.
One notable factor to mention is that the film is semi-autobiographical. Steven is pretty much Haynes' alter ego as a child, and the Gale family themselves are a satirical take on the typical suburban family that do more damage to the child instead of protecting them. Steven doesn't understand what his father and others see so negatively about him, hence the constant paranoia that plays a key role in his state of being. He makes a drawing of his hero Dottie getting spanked which fascinates him, yet it only leads to the kid feeling more uninformed about what these interests could lead to him later down the road. Even when someone feels they have to let go of a fantasy, it will never leave them that easily.
With all that said, when I mentioned how this is not for everybody, I meant that in how surreal it is. This does make sense regarding the psychological aspects coming from our main protagonist, but there are times when the surrealism can feel perplexing and the transitions from Steven's mind to the real world aren't always made clear. Also, I just wish the whole thing could've been longer, as there wasn't enough room to really delve entirely into the minds of the parents. Then again, what we see in the film tells us more than any dialogue ever could. Nevertheless, as bizarre as it may be, Dottie Gets Spanked is a solid exploration of childhood rebel against their powerlessness from parents. Queer or not, I think anyone can take home that ideology of hiding your inner differences from your own authority.