Cusp

In the West, we think of ourselves as treating women with the utmost respect, and we think of Islam as a culture which treats women as second rate citizens. But "Cusp" shows clearly that American culture, isn't all that different from Islam. Or, what Westerners like to tell themselves Islamic culture does to women.

"Cusp" follows three 15-16 year old Texan girls (Brittney, Autumn and Aaloni), on the cusp of womanhood. It seems that the filmmakers met these three teens through a sexual assault group therapy for teens in rural Texas. Both Brittney and Autumn are part of the 85-90% group of rape victims: they have been raped by people they knew: family friends, who were friends with one or both of their parents. Autumn was raped by her mother's best friend, a man, and this is the reason her parents have split up and she lives with her father. Brittney has been raped by her father's childhood buddy. The relationship between the two men isn't made entirely clear, or, I've missed it. Aaloni has an absentee father, who is in the military and who has been in Afghanistan for many years. The problem here is that when he gets back, he wants to completely lord over his family, and Aaloni doesn't accept that no more. Things come to ahead during her sisters 13th birthday when her dad (who's never shown) tells her sister that her bare midriff shirt is too revealing. Aaloni explodes: who does this man think he is? We get the impression her father acts more like a dictator who orders his family around than a parent who protects and listens. Aaloni's relationship with boys her own age isn't that much better: "You can say no to boys all you want, but in the end they're gonna get their way" she says. When asked why that is, she replies "boys are very powerful". Autumn, equally, is disappointed by her older boyfriend who promised her to not have sex with her but "I guess, apparently that one time, he forgot all about his promise."

The impression this documentary leaves of how American teen girls are threated is pretty bleak. They are subject to either outright rape, or forced into having unwanted sex before they are ready to do that, often with boys they consider their boyfriends. One might claim they are an exception, but recent news stories of white men who get away with rape, either because they're rich, in a position of power over those women or well known or all three, are seeping through to the media. Like trump, Larry Nassar (raped American gold medal gymnast girls) and SCOTUS judge B. Kavanaugh, we get the distinct impression these cases go underreported. It's almost as if the American patriarchy/meda complex doesn't like to report about (white) males who rape the girls who are part of their own family or in their circle of friends.

And the 10 previous reviews here don't make me hopeful this American culture will change anytime soon.

In that sense, the ending of "Cusp", a glossy MTV-styled quick montage of happy flashes of the good times the girls dó have, and which also shows their friendship with each other and with other female adults, seems somewhat out of touch. I guess the filmmaker wanted to end on a positive note and give the viewer with a bit of optimism.

8 oth 10.

The Melancholic Alcoholic.

As the documentary "Cusp" (2021 release; 92 min.) opens, we get to know three teenage girls (Brittney; Autumn; and Aaloni; each is about 15-16 yrs) somewhere in central Texas. School has just let out for the summer, and each of them is overcome with anxiety on how to navigate their very existence. Every day brings the same routine (hang out; drink; smoke; drugs; guys pressuring them). Can the circle be broken? Just watch.

Couple of comments: this is the feature length debut of co-directors Parker Hill and Isabel Bethencourt. They had seemingly unfettered access to the three girls and their circle of friends, family and acquaintances over the entire summer. A very disturbing picture emerges, as we watch how these girls and the people around them seemingly have no hope of anything positive happening in their lives. (Along the way we learn that all three girls have been used, abused, and molested or raped, either by a close family friend or a so-called boyfriend.) And what to make of these guys hanging out with them, ever ready to pounce? At some point one of the girls mentions that their friend Nina was raped by a (boy)friend). Comments one of the guys: "but they were both intoxicated, so it couldn't have been rape". SAY WHAT??? Also noteworthy: not a single of the young people or the grown-ups we see in this documentary appears to have a job. Not one. Ultimately the documentary is dark, very dark. It frankly represents the essence of American 21st century nihilism. The film makers do a terrific job of capturing it, warts and all. The documentary makes at times for difficult viewing, but really demands and captures your attention. As for the negative reviews on here, please note that the term "toxic masculinity" is NOT mentioned in the documentary itself. Also, these so-called reviewers are unwilling or unable to distinguish between the topic covered by the documentary (which they hate), versus whether the documentary itself is any good (in fact's it's very good--there is a reason this is currently rated 90% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).

"Cusp" premiered at this year's Sundance Festival to positive buzz. It started airing on Showtime last weekend, and is now available on SHO On Demand (where I caught it last night). If you are interested in getting a sense of what life without meaning looks like in this country and in this era, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Whoa! I cant believe the literal town i grew up in is featured in this! This is good ole' Copperas Cove, TX where there's nothing but fast food joints, pawn shops, and dollar store's. I'm a bit older and was doing the same exact thing's in the late 90s- 2000s. Nothing to do but get as drunk and high as possible to drown your misery.

Trash. These juveniles are representing the future of America. B-O-R-I-N-G Their struggles have been done by past generations but without the lamest excuse for being inconsiderate to others. This film just gives us a glimpse into the lives of those stuck in little circles of self importance. I was that age but I don't recall any of my friends being this stupid. I hope they grow up and do something with themselves.

Female version of "Rich HIll"- same identical format, teen drama backed by intriguing landscapes. Just a rehash- so watch both and compare. 10 years later, more convincing evidence that this generation of poverty will never rise. 3 protagonists with immature parents living in reduced circumstances, however in Rich Hill one characters had enough pluck to seek a way out of his situation. Here there is such lassitude, such a sense of "life is what happens to you," rather than electing any control over the circumstances and the resignation is truly palpable. Just timely due to the current judicial hatred of women and girls, and Texas has that identifier solidified.