The Doll
| 1919Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Main Plot
The Doll follows the story of a wealthy young man named Lancelot, who is infatuated with the idea of love but struggles to find a suitable partner. To escape the pressures of his family's expectations, he decides to retreat to a secluded village. There, he encounters a beautiful doll created by a talented toymaker. Captivated by the doll's charm, Lancelot concocts a plan to disguise the doll as a real woman and woo her. As he navigates this whimsical deception, he becomes entangled in a series of comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. The film explores themes of love, identity, and the nature of relationships, all set against a backdrop of charming visuals and lighthearted humor. The story unfolds with a blend of fantasy and reality, ultimately leading to unexpected twists and delightful moments.
Characters
- Ossi Oswalda plays Ossi, a lively, life-sized doll who causes chaos and comedy when mistaken for a real woman, leading to unexpected romantic entanglements.
- Hermann Thimig plays Lancelot, a young man who avoids marriage by pretending to wed a lifelike doll, leading to comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements.
- Victor Janson plays Professor Habakuk, an eccentric inventor who creates a lifelike doll, leading to comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements in the story.
Ending Explained
In The Doll, the ending resolves the central conflict surrounding the protagonist, who is initially trapped in a life of obligation and societal expectations. Throughout the film, the main character struggles with the constraints imposed by his family and the pressures of marrying a suitable partner. The narrative builds towards a climax where he finds himself in a whimsical situation involving a life-sized doll, which symbolizes his desire for freedom and escape from reality. As the story unfolds, the protagonist's interactions with the doll lead to a series of comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. In the final act, he confronts his feelings and the absurdity of his situation. The resolution comes when he realizes that true happiness lies not in the doll or the fantasy it represents, but in embracing genuine human connection and love. The film concludes with the protagonist choosing a real partner, signifying his acceptance of responsibility and the complexities of love. This choice not only resolves his internal conflict but also reinforces the film's overarching themes of authenticity versus illusion and the importance of personal choice in the pursuit of happiness. The ending encapsulates a journey from escapism to a meaningful relationship, highlighting the value of reality over fantasy.