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Towelhead
Directed by: Alan Ball
Starring: Summer Bishil
Genre:
Drama/Independent
Run Time: 124
min.
Release Date:
September 2008
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Fear of being politically incorrect has
never been a problem in Hollywood. Just look at things like
RELIGULOUS and you’ll see a good example of that. Hollywood also
isn’t afraid to show the bitter side of being human. Things like
CRASH showed
our prejudices, both inside government and in the home. So it comes as
no surprise that these predecessors have spring-boarded such successes
as this film, TOWELHEAD.
The big difference here, I guess, is that the title itself gives away
some of — if not all of — the film’s intent. It’s also a graphic title,
depicting a rather hated racial slur. But still, it stands out as a
ballsy way to get a message across using one effective word. But,
apparently, distributors didn’t like it, so if you’re looking for this
film to purchase or rent, you’ll have to look it up under its new, more
politically appealing title, NOTHING IS PRIVATE (talk about lame!).
But I’m going to stick with Towelhead because a) I like being
politically volatile, and b) the original title is appropriate for the
film’s machinations.
The story is about Jasira Maroun (Summer Bishil), the sexually awakening
daughter of divorced parents in America. Part white on her mother’s side
(Maria Bello,
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE) and part Lebanese on her father’s
(Peter Macdissi,
SIX FEET UNDER), Jasira is a nearly fully developed
young woman while being only 13 years old. This doesn’t escape the
attention of a macho, and much older, neighbor named Travis (Aaron
Eckhart, THE DARK KNIGHT) who begins prowling after her even though he’s
married and at least 20 years her senior ...and it’s illegal.
Towelhead is rife with prejudice ...and rightfully so. It shows us not
just anglo prejudices against other races, but brown against black,
brown against redneck whites, and black against white. It also traces
the problems many nationalities have growing up in a culture far removed
from their roots. This is seen in Jasira’s father when he must learn how
to handle his daughter who’s sexual appetite he can’t begin to
understand, and dealing with his own needs as a man when he finds solace
in the arms of an American woman while leaving Jasira to fend for
herself.
Unfortunately I did have a problem with the minimal incorporation of
another neighbor played by Toni Collette (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE). She
takes a keen interest in Jasira and even becomes — out of the blue — a
mother figure that Jasira seems to need very badly. But this section was
so rushed that it was forced onto the viewer.
I must also strike a note of caution for those who are uncomfortable
with certain unseemly aspects of society; particularly those who don’t
like child abuse or pedophilia. This film holds back nothing (and I mean
N-O-T-H-I-N-G!). From a young girl’s loss of her hymen by an adult to
interracial, underage, sexual experimentation Towelhead really goes the
distance in showing us the darker side of a world we’d rather leave
behind closed doors. But opening them can open our eyes and reveal our
own misunderstandings surrounding prejudices and our neighbors next
door.
A movie well worth renting and seeing ...if you can handle it.
(back to top) |
Image from Towelhead
DVD cost: $19.99
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Actress Summer Bishil was nominated for Best Actress at the Independent
Spirit Awards.
Movie Quote: "I'm
protesting one aspect of the war and supporting another aspect. See, the
mark of intelligence, Gail, is having the capacity of holding two
conflicting ideas in your head at one time."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Towelhead
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