Gunther (Timothy J. Cox) has been married to a sex doll, Natalie, for three years now. However, things are beginning to go stale, and Gunther and Natalie are struggling to see eye-to-eye. With the thought that he’s losing his wife in mind he decides to fool around with a new sex doll, Dorri. Doll It Up tells the story of Gunther as he attempts to survive both his marriage and his new relationship; but with so much on the line he’s sure to screw this up.
Gunther is a rather unassuming individual who plays the role of the odd, somewhat sex-addicted weirdo quite well. There is little development of the character (as the film is only six minutes in length) but it becomes apparent to viewers almost immediately that there is something off about Doll It Up’s protagonist. What’s so impressively interesting about the character is that he, in some ways, plays both the protagonist and antagonist. Viewers find moments to both love and hate Gunther, and this is a testament to both Cox’s talents and what writer-director Yalan Hu is able to accomplish in such a short time.
The fact that Gunther can be viewed as somewhat of an antagonist comes as a result of the message that lies within Doll It Up. As the reality of the world in which Gunther lives is understood, the message that Hu is attempting to convey is realized as well. There is a strong message revolving around gender roles and the way in which men treat women. There is truth to what is being said, and the beauty that lies within this unique and cringy film about sex dolls comes to life with great vigor.
What a silly concept: a man is married to a sex doll and decides to bring another into the mix. Who the heck would watch a film like this? The answer: anyone with a sense of humor. The comedy is dark, subtle, and certainly not for everyone, but the reality is that it exists and it’s there for viewers to enjoy. I exuded a combination of genuine laughter and nervous laughter throughout the course of Doll It Up, and regardless of which genre of laugh it was at any given moment, the fact that Hu, Cox, and the rest of the crew were able to make me laugh at all is a success. Doll It Up is uncomfortable and odd, and if you’re not with the right people that journey through Gunther’s marriage can be something of a nightmare, and, yet, I love it. I watched this film with a colleague with whom I’m not very familiar, and I loved feeling that discomfort that floated through the space between us. We both knew how the other was feeling, and that level of discomfort played a role in how I perceived Doll It Up. I was able to appreciate the content, the passion behind Hu’s vision, and the message that all involved were attempting to convey.
Doll It Up exists in a place within cinema that certainly does not appeal to everyone. As a matter of fact, I’d venture to guess that the majority of people would struggle to appreciate the film. Now, that’s not a shot at Doll It Up by any means. In fact, it’s actually a compliment directed at Hu for knowing who she is and the type of content she wants to create for the world. Kudos to this woman for not caring what the world might think and staying true to herself. There are people out there who will appreciate Doll It Up, and I’m one of them. Hu does a wonderful job of bringing this twisted story to life, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in the future.
Written & Directed by Yalan Hu.
Starring Timothy J. Cox, Devin Craig, Jeff Mandel, & Wayne DeBary.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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