Tabu

Just left the Sundance premier. They changed the title back to Towelhead, kind of a harsh turn-off while choosing a movie, but I guess that was the name of the semi- autobiographical novel. The author was present and looks well recovered from her childhood.

I can see why many reviewers hate this movie. It's cringe-worthy to watch the sexual awakening of a pubescent teen, when her parents and other important adults are childishly self-centered, in contrast to her own childlike innocence, honesty and vulnerability. That contrast and that cringe are what make it real and relevant. An unnerving part of the story is that the protagonist is never a victim. She is too inexperienced and too unmentored to act in what an adult would consider her own best interest, at least at first. But, she never participates in anything against her will. She is never denied her freedom, at least no one who tries to restrict her has the will and persistence to succeed for long. Hers is not to suffer, then be redeemed and live happily ever after. Hers is to introduce sex into her life this way, then go on.

Regarding the mechanics of the movie, it is explicit, but not graphic. Viewers hoping for teen porn will be disappointed, body parts stay covered or concealed by camera angles.

The story engages all types of Americans around this kid's ambivalent choices, a socially liberal me-generation mom, a conservative Christian Arab Dad, right-wing white Christian neighbors, liberal social activist neighbors, a middle class black friend, and a Latina mom- figure who mistakes her of one of her own. The acting is great. As one would expect, there's lots of room for humor. Once over the cringing,if you did get over it, it was an engaging and thought-provoking movie.

This is one odd, disturbing, strange little movie that is as seductive as it is uncomfortable to watch. The ensemble cast is a standout but Summer Bishil absolutely steals this one by delivering an amazingly adult performance of an almost impossible role, and Peter Macdissi, as her father, is also excellent with a heavily nuanced complex character.

I'd also like to point out this movie has more WTF moments than anything I've seen in recent memory.

Another thing I was struck with is just how commonplace, how "normal" the events in this girl's life appear, and that is even more disturbing.

I'd like to close by saying this movie will not be enjoyed by everyone, nor will it be understood by everyone. This is a major piece of film-making and a major piece of storytelling, though, and if you don't mind extremes, definitely give this one a try.

So that is why it needs to be spread by us that loved it. I haven't been able get out the images out of my head. It such a complex motion picture, and only Alan Ball could tackle this controversial material. It's so well acted. It's a great cast, but it is Bishil that sweeps us all away. A highly important movie, sad that it's gonna be forgotten. But in a few years time, people will say just like Gob in "Arrested Development"; "I mad a huge misstake"

In overall I recommend this movie to everyone. It speaks on so many important subjects that often gets ignored by the mass. Movies are meant to provoke you, make you feel inferior and make you think. "Towelhead" does that and a little bit more.

Towelhead may have the strangest opening that I have ever seen. A thirteen year old girl has her pubic hair shaved for "instructional purposes" by her mothers boyfriend; holy sh**. This traumatic event causes the young Lebanese-American girl to be sent to live with her very strict father in Houston, Texas.

This is during the Gulf War in 1990, to complicate the situation even further. Her dad winds up taking her to a supermarket to shop for tampons, in another bizarre moment, of which there are many. Jasira baby sits Zach, the boy next door. She discovers his porn magazines, and this triggers sexual feelings in her. She messes around with a classmate, Thomas, and Zach's father expresses interest in the lass. He tells her that he will be leaving for Iraq the next morning, and he convinces her to have sex with him. Afterwords, all hell breaks loose, as "family values" takes on a whole new meaning. Towelhead is somewhat entertaining and funny, and the then nineteen year old Summer Bishil looks much younger, as Jasira, and shows promises as an actress. Compared with other coming-of-age movies, this is one of the good ones.

Towelhead's themes of racism, sexual development and the horrors that lie in the dark abyss of suburbia basically come down to one thing: stereotyping. The film goes through many different lives and stories, all through the eyes of 13-year old Jasira (played with great bravery and intelligence by Summer Bishil). Through her eyes we see how everyone around her is just stereotyped immediately by the people living in this world and even by the audience. The aggressive Arab-American, the ignorant redneck pedophile, the horny black teenager, the pregnant hippie, etc. All of these typical characters are alive in this world and while they do have some of the characteristics that you would expect from the stereotypes of the character, Alan Ball does a good job of making them more diverse, complex and simply human than you would expect.

There were some things I really liked and some that I really didn't like. It all felt kind of awkward to me, but I think that helped the themes of the story in a way. Either way, Aaron Eckhart gave a really fantastic performance. He uses that boyish charm and those unimaginably handsome looks to make a horrifically despicable character borderline likable until his final scenes. One of those performances where you know that he's only going to bring horrible things to the main character's life and he makes you so uneasy when he's in a room alone with her, but you can't take your eyes off of him. A truly fascinating performance. I really think he's one of the very best actors working today. Peter Macdissi and Summer Bishil were also great, just a little less-so than Eckhart.