TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

'Towelhead' Sure To Shock But Wraps Up Too Neatly

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTY LEMIRE

The Associated Press

Published: September 28, 2008

If director Todd Solondz were to bring a Judy Blume book to the screen, "Towelhead" would be the result.

With equal parts dark comedy and even darker drama, this coming-of-age tale takes an unflinching look not just at the awkwardness of growing up but the potential pain and humiliation.

It's sure to anger people, and not just for the title, which comes from the novel by Alicia Erian, the film's source material. Calling it "Towelhead," an offensive term for a person of Arab ancestry, seems like an intentional shock, but so does much of the movie's content - an attempt to shake us up and make us think.

In directing his first film, Oscar-winning "American Beauty" screenwriter Alan Ball holds nothing back, which is admirable in its attempt at realism - and yet, some viewers will certainly perceive its exploration of teen sexuality as exploitative.

The performances make the material more human and accessible, though, mainly from the film's brave young star, Summer Bishil. It's hard to believe this is her first movie role.

Bishil stars as Jasira, a 13-year-old who is sent by her American mother (Maria Bello) to live in Houston with her strict Lebanese father (Peter Macdissi of Ball's TV series "Six Feet Under"). Why? Because of some inappropriate activity between mom's boyfriend and the girl, which jolts us from the start. (Bishil was 18 during shooting.)

While there, Jasira must navigate not just the difficulty of being different culturally in her predominantly white suburb, but also the conflicting physical and emotional urges welling within her. And the men surrounding her don't always have her best interest in mind.

Her father, Rifat, is a swarm of contradictions. He's Arab but Christian and he hates Saddam Hussein (the film takes place during the first Gulf War). He's an officious, uptight prude who scolds Jasira for dressing too scantily but he also brazenly makes out with his new girlfriend in the kitchen. Macdissi finds the innate absurdity in the character, and keeps us from hating such a buffoon.

Far worse is their neighbor, Mr. Vuoso (Aaron Eckhart), a married Army reservist waiting to be called into action who can't keep himself from leering at Jasira. He arranged to have Jasira baby-sit his 11-year-old son, and from there, his relationship with the girl escalates with startling speed.

Then there's Thomas (Eugene Jones), a horny classmate who becomes Jasira's de facto boyfriend. He's probably a good guy at heart. But Thomas is also black, and so Rifat prohibits Jasira from seeing him - in essence, denying her of a rare, positive force in her life.

Another positive influence comes from pregnant next-door neighbor Melina (Toni Collette), who sees what's happening to Jasira and struggles to protect her. But the point of "Towelhead" is that Jasira must endure all the abuse on her own and come out stronger.

Calling it a tough lesson to learn would be an understatement, but that's what makes the ending such a letdown.

MOVIE REVIEW
Towelhead
**½ (out of four)

MOVIE BOARD RATING: R; strong disturbing sexual content, abuse involving a young teen and language

STARS: Summer Bishil, Maria Bello, Peter Macdissi, Aaron Eckhart, Eugene Jones, Toni Collette

DIRECTOR: Alan Ball

LOCATION: See movie times, Page 14, for local showtimes.

PLOT SUMMARY: A 13-year-old Arab-American is sent to live with her strict Lebanese father in a small Texas town during the first Gulf War.

RUNNING TIME: 116 minutes

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT