User reviews

Alan Ball's TOWELHEAD is as dark, and biting as American BEAUTY, but with a different slant as a young girl begins to experience the reality of life growing up in the suburbs of America. The cast is superb, the young actor, Summer Bishil, is tremendous in her role, and the film and story resonate with a young girl wanting to be accepted for who she is, but instead has to face incidents which would impale another young girl.

TOWELHEAD deals with prejudice, a multicultural American society that faces Iraq, and other issues, along with the sexuality of young men and women. This film has been lambasted for the sexual themes which it addresses, but in fact is a real picture into what youth must deal with in America today. The writing is crisp, brilliant and the characters and cast bring alive the story with incredible energy. Living in Southern California, I see TOWELHEAD as an important film for an audience to see and discuss for their children and families. Once again, Alan Ball has delivered a brilliant and thought provoking, and very controversial film of substance and value.

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.

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.

Jasira Mourain(a heart-draining Summer Bishil)is surrounded by what appears to be a rogues gallery of adults and peers,whether it's back in Syracuse with her unstable and fickle mom(Maria Bello)or out in Houston,Texas with her culturally conservative and somewhat selfish father(Peter Macdissi). It's in Texas that Jasira also ends up being relocated to a school full of bigots and well-intentioned but thick-headed sorts(as if being in middle school WASN'T tough enough)who make her already tenuous growing up with her father just that much more difficult. Things don't improve when she strikes an association with a neighbor family headed by a prejudiced yet overly friendly Army reservist(Aaron Eckhart,almost phoning this one in),nor when she inspires the interest(mutual,of course)with a well-intentioned and attractive black kid(Eugene JonesIII).

Writer/director Alan Ball(American Beauty,"Six Feet Under")is clearly NOT shy about broaching sensitive issues,and his attempt to illustrate the cruel,arbitrary behavior that can come from racism certainly has the sufficient amount of pop and sizzle to it,but it seems like the raw,unrelenting frankness of this story borders on leering and sleaziness,not to mention cruelty. The performances are at least heartfelt and carry a grace about them that doesn't make this TOO preachy or obvious,and the way this story is folded out(using the parameters of Fall 1990 thru March 1991,which was the build-up to start and finish of the first Gulf War)certainly draws this away from post-911 type ready-made drama. But it's timber,it's dangling story lines(the relationship with the mom is just glanced upon) and somewhat out-of-rhythm ending sort of monkey wrenches this from being the cut-above type movie it strives to be. Perhaps I'm judging this film on a knee-jerk type of response,but I think it is still very telling of the kind of product it is.

Intriguing and not without its merits,it's a curiosity of a film,but it's not going to show the viewer much mercy,neither in topic nor in emotional tone.

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.

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.

"Towelhead" is an incredibly honest and sincere movie. It tells its story without pretense, without agenda, and without b.s.

Looking at the IMDb reviews and ratings, it appears that not everyone enjoys this movie. If you are made uncomfortable by the honest portrayal of adolescent sexuality, racism, sexism, bad parenting, sexual assault, and sexual predation, then you will not enjoy this movie.

If you are like myself and my wife, and you feel that dealing with the life of a young woman torn between cultures and divorced parents, objectified by a society that also rejects her, and as confused and eager and scared of her own sexuality as every young teen has ever been, then you feel this is one of the best films of the year.

But not everyone is going to be comfortable with honesty. I found it to be a wonderful breath of fresh air. Others will be made uncomfortable and will then make up reasons to dislike it. I even read a review by someone who somehow thought that the villain of the story, the clear, obvious villain, was the hero.

This is a story about a young girl who did not have the proper parenting. A 13 year old girl is shipped off to live with her father in Texas. The mom chooses her inappropriate boyfriend over her daughter. In Texas, the father is never home always at his girl friends. This leaves an opening for a creepy neighbor and a overly hormonal black boy in school to take advantage of the girl. The girl does not see her value and has very low self esteem. Often we get our value from our parents and our friends. When we don't see ourselves as having any self worth we act out like Jasira and resort to inappropriate behavior. Is it OK for 13 year old girls to have sex. Where is this girl going to end up. She probably will end up with a disease, pregnant or worse. I think this movie is condoning the girls behavior. I didn't really agree with the message of the movie. Its sad that the girl viewed herself in the way she did.

I saw this film at its premier at Sundance 09.

Since American Beauty is a movie that had something to say, I had hopes for Towelhead. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. In fact, of countless movies I've seen in almost a dozen Sundance festivals, Towelhead is the only Sundance movie I've ever wanted to walk out early from.

The worst problem with Towelhead is that it so obviously originates with a collection of "provocative" concepts concerning cultural stereotypes, rather than with an organic human drama. The screenplay derives from the novel of the same name by Alicia Erian. The famous Edith Wharton quote comes to mind: I have never known a novel that was good enough to be good in spite of its being adapted to the author's political views. That observation is especially devastating for Towelhead because its political views are so stale and simplistic. If there ever was a time when Towelhead's white male villains, condescending portrayals of blacks, ironic treatments of foreign cultures, etc., were fresh, it's long past.

For a more detailed review, please look up any of the many professional reviews available online. Almost all rate this movie poorly and expose the shallow and manipulative tissue it is based on.

On the other hand, the amateur reviewers seem more easily bamboozled. As you read through the reviews in this and similar sites, you'll frequently come across superlatives: "stunning," "breathtaking," "profound," "shocking," ... It embarrasses me to read them, but it does not surprise me. Indeed, I've encountered many people who seem to regard any book or movie dealing with racial, cultural, gender, or sexual issues as deeply moving, thought provoking, full of profound insight. If you are such a person, by all means, rent Towelhead and be moved by it. On the other hand, if you set your standards higher, you can safely pass on this one.

How Can You Find Yourself if No One Can See You?

Plot: A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War.

I got really, really, but I mean, really lucky to catch this at the Deauville American Film Festival. Can you imagine it? I flew all over to France to see Alan Ball's new movie. Well, I did it. Anyway, Nothing is Private (or Towelhead, as it is called now) is the new film written for the screen, produced and directed by Alan Ball and based upon the novel Towelhead by Alicia Erian. Some people say this movie is a porno and that is sick. But, I can, proudly, compare it with "American Beauty" (also one of my favourite movies, also). You can call me whatever you want and say that I'm nuts, but that's my point of view.

The film is set on the year 1991 on the Gulf War. When I first read the novel I thought: Well, this doesn't looks like a book that no one will ever adapt to the cinema. But, when I saw the film I thought: Oh, my God! What a great adaptation of the book. And, besides, I really loved American Beauty. And it has beautiful and hauntingly dark screenplay, intelligent direction and superb performances. I mean, Summer Bishil's performance is one of the most unforgettable ones of the last decade. Some may find it offencive, but you have to have an open mind to watch this. The most sexually explicit and disturbing movie I've ever seen since Stanley Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut'. I correct; since Bernardo Bertolucci's 'The Dreamers'. When you first watch this you feel like gut-punched. But, if you can get over the whole movie, and you have an open mind, you'll enjoy and love it. This is a true masterpiece. I believe that with the direction, with the screenplay and with the performances, this will get more than one Academy Award.

Verdict: One of the most daring, talking on a mature sexual way, movies of the last 50 years. Stunningly satirical and darkly and shockingly disturbing. A sexist teenage satire on the style of 'Juno' and 'Ghost World'. A superb drama. Simply, a Great Movie. Quite disturbing, not recommended to people that doesn't have an open criterion.

Nothing Is Private. Warner Independent Pictures. 2008. 116 min. UK: No Certificate. US: R. Written for the screen and directed by Alan Ball. Based upon the novel Towelhead by Alicia Erian. Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Peter Macdissi, Summer Bishil, Maria Bello and Toni Collette.

I figured well before the credits that the writer and/or director was extraordinarily gifted - and I was correct. (Can't wait to see what he's up to next.) Even though 'Crash' was just palatable enough for the AMPAS, it seemed a bit hackneyed. This is the film America really needs to see. As a screenwriter, one of the first exercises in creating honest characters is to examine the antagonist's motives as deeply as the protagonist's. Ball did this so effectively and affectively in 'American Beauty' that there ceased to be antagonists - and left only catalysts for change. 'Towelhead' (or 'Nothing is Private') does this masterfully. I learned early on in life that the seed of each emotion and action lies somewhere dormant in our hearts and heads. When I was inserted into Aaron Eckhart's mind, I started to emote with him - and it was scary. And not a popcorn-eating type-of-experience. Same can be said for our young female protag - I wasn't a teenager that long ago. Even those these sentiments aren't 'politically correct', they still exist - and are much more common than our media is permitted to let on. Even though this movie probably made no money, and similar films won't for the same reasons, I'm very glad it exists. It is a wonderful document for our times and huge stepping- stone. In fact, can you think of a better film that defines 'real' post-911 America? I'm sure there are a few - but not too many.

This was a very hard watch because of the taboo nature of the subject. While we are used to and have seen many movies with male protagonists that revolve around the same things, it is very different watching it from a female perspective.

Towelhead is about a lot of things. It is about racial discrimination, parent-child relationships, but more than anything it is about a young girl's sexual awakening. Summer Bishil as Jasira has done an amazing job. I think acting as older or younger than your age is about body language and Summer has perfected that. I did realized that the actress would have to be a little older but my maximum guess was 15. To my surprise I found out that she was 18 while filming the movie. I guess that was because with an adult actress they have much more freedom to show what they want.

I liked that nearly all the characters are three dimensional and shown in gray, rather than in black and white, with the viewers left free to come to their own conclusions.

Everybody has done a fabulous job in acting department. But Summer Bishil and Aaron Eckhart stand out. Summer has shown a huge range of emotions and Aaron has been successful in depicting quite a complex character.

While performances alone are worth the admission, the narrative is very realistic and holds nothing back.

Don't be fooled by the people commenting here on how racist, hateful, pro-Israeli, etc., this movie supposedly is. If you haven't read the book, you don't know anything about what the movie is going to be. I read the book after hearing Alicia Erian read an excerpt from it at an event in San Francisco. I look forward to the movie, and I recommend people who think it's going to promote any sort of hate or intolerance should either read the book or wait until they can talk to someone who's actually SEEN the movie, before posting silly comments about how this movie is pro-Israeli propaganda. Otherwise, your arguments begin to look like their only purpose is to just baselessly attack the film and/or the book's author.

It's right before the first Gulf War. Jasira Maroun is a naive 13 year old struggling with her sexuality. She gets into a compromising position with her mother Gail's boyfriend Barry. Gail (Maria Bello) sends her to live with her father Rifat in Houston. He is a proud, strict, and volatile Arab Christian from Lebanon. She is sent to babysit bratty Zack next door. His father Travis Vuoso (Aaron Eckhart) catches them looking at his collection of porno magazines and becomes sexually obsessed. Her father starts dating Thena Panos (Lynn Collins). She is befriended by pregnant neighbor Melina Hines (Toni Collette). She gets a black boy as a boyfriend which her father forbids.

Almost everybody is unlikeable and creepy. This film is aggressively trying to disturb the audience in every possible way. It's obvious what Alan Ball is doing and I'm not comfortable with it. In American Beauty, the girls are 16 but Jasira is 13 in this one. At a certain point, it becomes too creepy to be funny but Alan Ball does it so well. I have to give him a point for that. He has just jam-packed this movie with so many issues that it does not crystallize into something more precise.

A 13-year-old American girl, white on her mother's side and Lebanese on her father's, moves to a Houston suburb and finds her budding sexuality causing a great deal of concern among the adults. Writer-director Alan Ball, who adapted Alicia Erian's novel with the inelegant title "Towelhead", has possibly too many agendas here (sexual precociousness, sexual preoccupation, sexual humiliation, etc.), however his main themes of racial ignorance and racial hypocrisy are translated to the screen exceptionally well. Never losing his needling, rude, satiric sense of humor, Ball occasionally falters with some of the story detail, yet he allows the characters to be thrillingly human--for better or worse--and he shows no fear here (his bravery is sometimes shocking). Ball also never gets in the way of his actors, most of whom do superlative work: Summer Bishil, 18 when the film was shot, is convincingly girlish in the leading role, at once shy, curious, and seductive (she's not playing a saint by any means, which makes this narrative even more provocative); as her mercurial single father who works at NASA, Peter MacDissi is marvelously maddening, and completely unaware of it (he makes his own rules for everyone to follow, bristling with comic frustration when life doesn't go according to plan); Aaron Eckhart as a pedophiliac neighbor continues to be a courageous, intelligent actor unafraid to be a devil on-screen; Toni Collette and Matt Letscher are terrific as a grounded, free-thinking couple who live without hang-ups. Maria Bello's role as Bishil's wild mother isn't shaped well, and a fantasy sequence involving a mall photographer is far too broad (it takes us out of the moment); otherwise, this is dicey, demanding film-making. It won't be to everyone's taste, although grown-up people who are up for the cinematic challenge will find a lot of food for thought here. *** from ****

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.

I was fortunate to view this movie in a cinema in the same weekend as I saw a stage performance of Moliere's "The Learned Ladies" and a DVD of "Memoirs of a Geisha". All three deal with the reaction of girls on the brink of womanhood who react in different ways to the pressures society has placed on them. Moliere was a favorite of Louis XIV in 1670, and his treatment of these pressures is remarkably pertinent to out own times. His play is instructive, as is "Towelhead". By drawing attention to the girls' problems, these dramas are warning us of the way society is treating young women. They are victims. Moliere uses farce and poetry, "Towelhead" uses conflict and some wry humor. The Geisha endures a life of conflict with no comic relief. All three shows produce the same message: don't let this happen to you. "Towelhead" is reputed to be autobiographical, and "Geisha" would appear to be so.

"Towelhead" is distinguished by some clever cinematography, let down perhaps by some careless editing. Nevertheless, the actors' performances are excellent, with most of the cast in roles that reveal them as childish. The drama unfolds not by having them grow up, but by having the protagonist mature and become decisive, just as did Moliere's girl did. There is an outstanding performance by Toni Collette as the pregnant neighbor who plays an important part in the youngster's maturing.

Towelhead is a masterpiece dare to exhibit the dark sides of puberty in a very explicit way. Though not as sick as American Beauty, this movie definitely requires an open mind to watch. However I am rather impressed that it ended up not being over-dramatized but yet powerful in its subtle honesty. The supporting characters were doing great for playing their roles in dissecting the aforesaid issue into various perspectives. Although the movie leaves much room for improvement, it is a good attempt on an issue not well-covered within the movie industry. Summer Bishil's performance is phenomenal, and like for her role in Crossing Over, I still believe she will be a star to look out in the future.

This is a very very disturbing movie. The story is based on a girl who is 13 and being molested on the screen multiple times as well as depicted as a slut trying to attain orgasm in public places. Every girl want to explore her sexuality, but the way its been shown is horrible.

Her soiled underwear is displayed during her puberty, later on a used tampon is shown. What does this serve to the society? Young people who watch these kind of movies will lose their values.

This movie is a thumbs up to child molesters, provides a means of pleasure to them. It shouldn't have been approved for release to general public. The movie ratings are surprising and they shows how sick the common man has become.

Also shows the pedophiles filthy minds of the writer and director wearing masks of art and picturising rape of a minor girl on the screen.

Its a disgusting horrible and despicable act on the part of this movie makers and artists playing the roles including Aaron Eckhart.

Only roles played by Toni Collette and Matt Letscher are commendable and show true protective nature towards kids.

This film has some premise of "American Beauty" in it, I can also see a little bit of "Samaritan Girl" girl thrown in it as well although it's probably not intentional. But unlike the past 2 films this one has to do more with a 13-year-old Lebanese American girl named Jasira(Summer Bishil) who is experiencing the life of growing up in the suburbs. It may not be great as "American Beauty" it's still a decent film that also deals with prejudice in a American society, when the war in Iraq was big. The film may not be engaging to some audiences cause, since the premise is a bit exaggerated although there are people that act similar to the characters in the film, it just felt a bit unnatural and forced. And wow I never knew Texas was mostly full of douche bags cause, the story takes place in Texas and just about everyone character in the film is a douche bag. Especially Jasira's father who accuses every white men to be racist against his Lebanese heritage, but is equally races and talks too much trash about his ex-wife while being a hypocrite. While her mother just tells her to shut her mouth and do everything her father says since everything she does is wrong and everything is her fault. Jasira's father is even more illogical than drunk rednecks and even tries to go through her private belongings while acting like he knows what is best for her while only caring about his reputation that doesn't exist, he is basically a unfunny and more retarded version of Borat. And the scene where he comes to get Jasira from a white family after she runs away clearly shows his ignorance of not wanting to see her with a white family, when he himself was married to a white women and was fine with it when his wife tried to take her away. Jasira's mother was pretty terrible too as a mother figure, she basically treats her like a pet dog that she can kick out whenever she want to and tries to get her back when she is lonely. In another words she is a crazy whore that is full of crap and childish as well. I like Aaron Eckhart and he is a great actor, but I thought his role didn't really fit him very well since he is too likable, while playing a pedophile that tries to convince himself of being good while taking advantage of a 13 yr old girl and throwing quotes like "I would've never done that thing to you if I'd knew you were still a virgin" like that makes him a better person, but at the end I sort of understand why he was good for the role. Jasira's boyfriend was also a douche bag that only wants Jasira as a sex object while giving quotes to her like "So let me know when it grows back. I can shave it for you again" like he is doing her a favor. As a matter of fact the title Douche Bags is a fitting name for this movie, although I doubt it will sell as well. Even the kid Jasira babysitted who was played by Chase Ellison was annoying and you just can't help yourself but watch him get run over, he is a fine example why some people just don't want kids. However fortunately Melina Hines acts closer to being a mother figure for Jasira than her real mother ever was and plays a big part in the climax of the film. This film wasn't even close to being good as "American Beauty" but it was a good watch, I just wished it dealt with more of Jasira's ethnicity and how she had to struggle cause of it instead of constant sexually disturbing. And Jasira's naivety seemed exaggerated as well cause she was intelligent enough to know what was really going on. Seeing how over obedient Jasira is throughout most of the movie, you can't help but wonder, what if she was replaced by the girl in the movie "Thirteen" by Evan Rachel Wood. Despite that this is a daring film with good human drama, it just isn't that engaging and the changes in the characters near the end wasn't that believable.

7.8/10