Dorothy: A Quietly Bold Film About the Cost of Conformity

Main image: Dorothy movie poster, supplied by the contributor.

Some films take you by surprise. Dorothy is one of them. It begins with what seems like a simple story of childhood friendship but slowly takes you into a much darker world, raising questions about power, masculinity, social expectations and what happens when people follow rules without questioning whether they are right.

A friendship at the heart of the story

The film opens with a little boy standing up to a group of bullies to protect a newcomer. His rather enthusiastic flying kicks earn him the nickname “Bruce Lee” from his new friend, Karthi. It is a lovely introduction to the friendship between Karthi and Subbu, two boys whose bond becomes the heart of the story.

An early visit to Subbu’s home gives Karthi his first glimpse into a very different world. Subbu’s father is someone who lends money to people in need, but there is another side to him. He is quick to use violence and expects everyone around him to obey. Slowly, we begin to understand how fear has become a part of everyday family life.

A slow build with a sharp turn

As the boys grow older, the film takes its time building the story. The first half may feel a little slow, and at times you might wonder where it is heading. But the little details, the relationships and the uncomfortable moments all begin to make sense as the story unfolds.

When the first big revelation comes, it changes the way you look at everything that came before it. And just when you think you understand what is happening, the film takes you somewhere else.

Without giving away too much, the story gradually brings up difficult questions about the women in the household and the way the men around them treat them. It is here that the film begins to reveal its real depth.

When doing the right thing means breaking a rule

The second half is where Dorothy really finds its strength. Karthi is faced with a situation that puts him in an extremely difficult position. He has to choose between doing what society expects of him and doing what he feels is the right thing.

That is perhaps the most uncomfortable question the film leaves us with: how do you stand by what is right when everyone around you expects you to simply follow the rules?

One of the more interesting things about Dorothy is the way it looks at men and the expectations placed on them. In this world, men are expected to be strong all the time. They cannot easily show fear, sadness or vulnerability. They are expected to obey certain rules, even when those rules go against what they may feel inside. The film quietly shows how damaging these expectations can be, not just for women but for men as well.

Performances that make the friendship believable

Both lead actors do a convincing job of bringing the friendship to life. Their performances feel natural, particularly in moments when their characters are unsure, vulnerable or struggling to deal with what is happening around them. This makes their friendship believable, and as the story becomes more complicated, you find yourself emotionally invested in what happens to them.

A measured directorial touch

The director deserves credit for handling a sensitive subject without making everything too obvious. Much of the storytelling happens through expressions, silences and small moments rather than lengthy explanations. There are scenes that make you uncomfortable, but that discomfort is part of what makes the film stay with you.

A world that lingers

The film also does a good job of creating its own world. The setting, visuals and overall feel take you back to another time. There are interesting cultural references to Kerala and Maharashtra, although one wishes the film had explored some of these a little more. The opening could perhaps have been tighter, but the time spent building the characters and their relationships does eventually pay off.

The verdict

Dorothy may not be an easy film for everyone to watch. Some of its themes and scenes are unsettling, and the story asks the audience to confront things that are not always comfortable to think about. But beneath it all is a film about compassion, friendship and the courage to question what we have been taught to accept.

Sometimes, doing what is right takes far more courage than simply following what everyone else expects of us. And that is the thought that stays with you long after Dorothy ends.