Palindromes (film)
Encyclopedia
Palindromes is a 2004 American comedy-drama film
written and directed by Todd Solondz
and a sequel
to Solondz's 1995 film, Welcome to the Dollhouse
. In the same year it was released, Palindromes was nominated for a Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival
.
The protagonist
, a 13-year-old girl named Aviva, is played by ten different actors (of different ages, races, and genders) during the course of the film. Palindromes also features an array of secondary characters. The names of the characters Aviva, Bob, and Otto are all palindromes.
, who went to college, gained a lot of weight, became pregnant, and committed suicide
. Her brother Mark (Matthew Faber, reprising his role) reads the eulogy
while Dawn's tearful parents (Angela Pietropinto and Bill Buell) sit in the audience.
Aviva is Dawn's cousin who desires to have a child. She has sex with Judah (Robert Agri), a family friend, and becomes pregnant
. Aviva's parents are horrified and demand she get an abortion
. While the abortion is technically successful, it is implied via a fractured, emotional conversation with the doctor (Stephen Singer) that Aviva can no longer have children
. Not fully conscious, Aviva is unaware of this, and her parents, already fragile, lead her to believe all is well when she awakens, afraid to upset Aviva.
Aviva runs away from home. She befriends a trucker (Stephen Adly Guirgis
) and has sex with him; however, the trucker abandons her at a motel
. She is eventually found by the Sunshine Family, a Christian
fundamentalist foster home
that cares for orphans and runaways. She tells them her name is Henrietta — the name she picked for the baby she was persuaded to abort. While at the Sunshine Family home, she discovers a dark side to the foster father; he assassinates
abortion providers. His next target is the doctor who performed Aviva's abortion. The hitman
who the foster father uses is the same trucker Aviva previously befriended and had sex with.
Convinced she is in love with the truck driver, she flees the Sunshine Family to join him on his assignment. The murder does not go as planned as, in addition to the doctor himself, the trucker (whose name is revealed to be Bob) ends up accidentally shooting the doctor's young daughter when she steps in front of the first shot. The police
find Bob and Aviva both in a motel room, and Bob commits suicide by cop
.
The film then skips ahead to Aviva back home with her parents, planning her next birthday party. During the party, she talks to her cousin, Mark, who has recently been accused of molesting
a baby, although he denies having done it. The film skips ahead to Aviva's meeting Judah, who now calls himself Otto, and their having sex again. Once again, Aviva believes she is pregnant and is happy about it.
. On an unknown, but likely small, budget, the film grossed $553,368 in the domestic box office and $707,269 worldwide after almost 23 weeks in theatrical release. The DVD
was released on September 13, 2005.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
written and directed by Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz is an American independent film screenwriter and director known for his style of dark, thought-provoking, socially conscious satire. Solondz has been critically acclaimed for his examination of the "dark underbelly of middle class American suburbia", a reflection of his own background...
and a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Solondz's 1995 film, Welcome to the Dollhouse
Welcome to the Dollhouse
Welcome to the Dollhouse is a 1995 American independent coming of age dark comedy. An independent film, it launched the careers of Todd Solondz and Heather Matarazzo.-Plot:...
. In the same year it was released, Palindromes was nominated for a Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
.
The protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
, a 13-year-old girl named Aviva, is played by ten different actors (of different ages, races, and genders) during the course of the film. Palindromes also features an array of secondary characters. The names of the characters Aviva, Bob, and Otto are all palindromes.
Plot
The film opens with a funeral for a young woman; the deceased is Dawn Wiener, the protagonist from Solondz's Welcome to the DollhouseWelcome to the Dollhouse
Welcome to the Dollhouse is a 1995 American independent coming of age dark comedy. An independent film, it launched the careers of Todd Solondz and Heather Matarazzo.-Plot:...
, who went to college, gained a lot of weight, became pregnant, and committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Her brother Mark (Matthew Faber, reprising his role) reads the eulogy
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
while Dawn's tearful parents (Angela Pietropinto and Bill Buell) sit in the audience.
Aviva is Dawn's cousin who desires to have a child. She has sex with Judah (Robert Agri), a family friend, and becomes pregnant
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
. Aviva's parents are horrified and demand she get an abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. While the abortion is technically successful, it is implied via a fractured, emotional conversation with the doctor (Stephen Singer) that Aviva can no longer have children
Sterility (physiology)
Sterility is the physiological inability to effect sexual reproduction in a living thing, members of whose kind have been produced sexually. The term may be used in reference to* types of organism, such as the mule, a sterile hybrid;...
. Not fully conscious, Aviva is unaware of this, and her parents, already fragile, lead her to believe all is well when she awakens, afraid to upset Aviva.
Aviva runs away from home. She befriends a trucker (Stephen Adly Guirgis
Stephen Adly Guirgis
Stephen Adly Guirgis is an American playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor. He is a member and co-artistic director of New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced on five continents and throughout the United States....
) and has sex with him; however, the trucker abandons her at a motel
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
. She is eventually found by the Sunshine Family, a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
fundamentalist foster home
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
that cares for orphans and runaways. She tells them her name is Henrietta — the name she picked for the baby she was persuaded to abort. While at the Sunshine Family home, she discovers a dark side to the foster father; he assassinates
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
abortion providers. His next target is the doctor who performed Aviva's abortion. The hitman
Hitman
A hitman is a person hired to kill another person.- Hitmen in organized crime :Hitmen are largely linked to the world of organized crime. Hitmen are hired people who kill people for money. Notable examples include Murder, Inc., Mafia hitmen and Richard Kuklinski.- Other cases involving hitmen...
who the foster father uses is the same trucker Aviva previously befriended and had sex with.
Convinced she is in love with the truck driver, she flees the Sunshine Family to join him on his assignment. The murder does not go as planned as, in addition to the doctor himself, the trucker (whose name is revealed to be Bob) ends up accidentally shooting the doctor's young daughter when she steps in front of the first shot. The police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
find Bob and Aviva both in a motel room, and Bob commits suicide by cop
Suicide by cop
Suicide by cop is a suicide method in which a suicidal individual deliberately acts in a threatening way, with the goal of provoking a lethal response from a law enforcement officer or other armed individual, such as being shot to death....
.
The film then skips ahead to Aviva back home with her parents, planning her next birthday party. During the party, she talks to her cousin, Mark, who has recently been accused of molesting
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
a baby, although he denies having done it. The film skips ahead to Aviva's meeting Judah, who now calls himself Otto, and their having sex again. Once again, Aviva believes she is pregnant and is happy about it.
Cast
- Matthew Faber as Mark Wiener
- Angela Pietropinto as Mrs. Wiener
- Bill Buell as Harvey Wiener
- Ellen BarkinEllen BarkinEllen Barkin is an American film, television and theatre actress.-Early life:She was born Ellen Rona Barkin in Bronx, a borough of New York City, New York, the daughter of Evelyn , a hospital administrator who worked at Jamaica Hospital, and Sol Barkin, a chemical salesman...
as Joyce Victor - Richard MasurRichard MasurRichard Masur is an American actor who has appeared in more than 80 movies during his career. From 1995-1999, he served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild . Masur sits on the Corporate Board of the Motion Picture & Television Fund.-Biography:Masur was born in New York City to a...
as Steve Victor - Hillary Bailey Smith as Robin Wallace
- Danton StoneDanton StoneDanton Stone is an American veteran stage, film and television actor.-Stage plays:*Fifth of July *Angels Fall *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...
as Bruce Wallace - Robert Agri as First Judah
- John Gemberling as Second Judah
- Stephen Singer as Dr. Fleisher
- Stephen Adly GuirgisStephen Adly GuirgisStephen Adly Guirgis is an American playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor. He is a member and co-artistic director of New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced on five continents and throughout the United States....
as Joe/Earl/Bob - Debra MonkDebra MonkDebra Monk is an American actress, singer, and writer.Monk was born in Middletown, Ohio. She was voted "best personality" by the graduating class at Wheaton High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. She graduated from Frostburg State University in 1963...
as Mama Sunshine - Walter BobbieWalter BobbieWalter Bobbie is an American theatre director, choreographer, and occasional actor and dancer. Bobbie has directed both musicals and plays on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and was the Artistic Director of the New York City Center Encores! concert series...
as Bo Sunshine - Tyler MaynardTyler MaynardTyler Maynard is an American stage and film actor. He is best known for playing Mark in the 2005 musical Altar Boyz, for which he won a Theatre World Award and received a nomination for a Drama Desk Award.-Biography:...
as Jiminy - David CastroDavid Castro (actor)David Castro is an American teen actor. He is best known for his role in the 2007 film Where God Left His Shoes as Justin Diaz, the son of Frank Diaz and Angela Diaz .-Early life:...
as Carlito - Richard RiehleRichard Riehle-Life and career:Riehle was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Mary Margaret , a nurse, and Herbert John Riehle , an assistant postmaster. He attended the University of Notre Dame....
as Dr. Dan - Maggie MooreMaggie MooreMaggie Moore was the stage name of the American-Australian actor Margaret Virginia Sullivan .Sullivan was born at San Francisco, U.S.A., in 1851, and began her theatrical career at an early age. She established a local reputation, and having married J. C. Williamson came with him to Australia in 1874...
as Voice of Christian narrator
Actors playing Aviva
- Emani Sledge (segment 'Dawn')
- Valerie Shusterov (segment 'Judah')
- Hannah Freiman (segment 'Henry')
- Rachel Corr (segment 'Henrietta')
- Will DentonWill DentonWill Denton is an American film and television actor.Best known for playing the role of "Leopold Cain" in the television series Kidnapped , his credits also include the films Robots , Palindromes , and Kinsey .Denton currently lives in Brookfield, Connecticut and is a member of the class of 2012...
(segment 'Huckleberry') - Sharon WilkinsSharon WilkinsSharon Wilkins is an American actress.Wilkins hails from Newburgh, New York and makes her home on the Upper Westside of Manhattan. She has had a number of roles on Broadway and in film and does some commercial work. She is currently appearing in the National Tour of Xanadu The Musical...
(segment 'Mama Sunshine') - Shayna LevineShayna LevineShayna Levine is an American soap opera actress.Levine joined the cast of ABC's All My Children on September 24, 2002, playing the role of Lily Montgomery , the adopted autistic daughter of Jackson Montgomery .Levine also performed in the films Palindromes and The House is Burning...
(segment 'Bob') - Jennifer Jason LeighJennifer Jason LeighJennifer Jason Leigh is an American film and stage actress, best known for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Single White Female, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Georgia and Short Cuts...
(segment 'Mark')
Reception
Palindromes currently holds a 42% rotten rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. On an unknown, but likely small, budget, the film grossed $553,368 in the domestic box office and $707,269 worldwide after almost 23 weeks in theatrical release. The DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
was released on September 13, 2005.
Soundtrack
- "Lullaby (Aviva's and Henrietta's Theme)"
- "Up on a Cloud"
- "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23Piano Concerto No. 1 (Tchaikovsky)The Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between November 1874 and February 1875. It was revised in the summer of 1879 and again in December 1888. The first version received heavy criticism from Nikolai Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky's desired pianist....
" - "Nobody Jesus But You"
- "Fight for the Children"
- "Doctor Dan"
- "Love Turned Blue"
- "Somebody Loved"
- "This is the Way"