Towelhead Story Synopsis
It is the early nineties, and Jazira Maroun (newcomer Summer Bishil) is a curious young Arab-American, whose curiosity often gets the best of her. Having been sent to live with her father in Houston, Texas after her mother's (Maria Bello) boyfriend takes a sexual shine to Jazira (including an unfortunate misunderstanding in which she let said man assist her in grooming her unmentionables ---something the mother inexpicably can't seem to fault the boyfriend for, but Jazira instead), Jazira finds life a bit different but no more difficult, living with dad Rifat Maroun (Peter Macdissi), a selfish hypocrit of a man.
Soon after moving in with Dad, Jazira soon befriend her neighbors, such as Melina (Toni Colette), as well as Mr. Vuoso (Aaron Eckhart, The Dark Knight ), a hunky, married Army Reservist. While she has difficulty adapting to her new environment, and putting up with the usual racial ridicule which comes from being different in a new high school, Jazira copes by dreaming of becoming a woman, something of a complication, as she is also slowly discovering her sexual awakening.
This leads to a series of encounters with a fellow student smitten with her (Eugene Jones III), as well as unexpected affection by the much older Mr. Vuoso. This local neighborhood drama unfolds in what can only be described as a typical dysfunctional neighborhood, which is par for the course for director/screenwriter Alan Ball (creator of Six Feet Under and writer of American Beauty)
Towelhead Overall Analysis
It is an open question as to whether director Alan Ball seems to be a one note man, given his last few projects. Very much like his popular show Six Feet Under, Ball seems to be quite adept at writing dysfunctional characters, putting them in awkward situations.
Towelhead (or its original title at the Toronto Film Fest, Nothing is Private) is no exception, succeeding at making viewers squirm with discomfort at almost every turn. Whether it's a feeling of voyeurism at witnessing a clumsy first sexual encounter, or watching a scene of what can only be described as a masturbatory nightmare, the audience cannot help but feel uncomfortable with the scenes displayed on screen.
Though the director makes no excuses in translating Alicia Erian's novel of the same name faithfully onto the screen, this coming of age film is very painful to watch at times. Well acted for the most part, intense at times, and unapologetic, the film is described on the DVD jacket as filled with a "series of fateful, emotional, frequently funny events". For the life of this writer who tried very hard to locate said funny moments, it was difficult to find said humor in such a disturbing tale.
Acting kudos are to be handed out to Peter Macdissi, who plays Rifat. His portrayal of this two-faced father makes the viewer want to reach through the screen and slap some sense into him, which in a way means he performed his character convincingly.
Aaron Eckhart is to be commended, for accepting to play such a villainous perverted character, a deprived man whose life decisions haven't been the best ones, and whose lustful thoughts about the teen next door become a focal point to the story.
Summer Bishil shows her acting inexperience throughout, playing innocent and timid well enough, but tiredly so. Though in fact 18 years of age playing 13 in the movie, Bishil brings the overall quality of the cast down a few notches, which is unfortunate.
Towelhead DVD Extras
The only worthy feature of note on this disc, is an pair of open discussions with cast and crew, as well as a represntative of the Arab-American community. Most of the discussion focuses on the film's title, which was of source of great concern in Arab communities. The other panel includes the book's author, Alicia Erian, and also focuses on both the book and the film's reception.
6.5 out of 10, for taking a complex subject matter, and trying to score another American Beauty
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