A young Lebanese-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War.A young Lebanese-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War.A young Lebanese-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War.
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations total
- Rifat Maroun
- (as Peter MacDissi)
- Topless Golfer
- (as Kimberly Knight)
- Golfer
- (as Loridawn Messuri)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
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.
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.
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.
"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.
Did you know
- TriviaActress Summer Bishil turned 18 before filming started.
- GoofsWhen Jasira is talking to her mother on the payphone when her father has locked her out, there is a "We Card" sticker visible in the convenience store window. The "We Card" tobacco program was not started until 1995, several years after the movie takes place.
- Quotes
Jasira Maroun: [about girlie magazine] Women look at these pictures?
Melina Hines: Yeah. They look at them and feel like crap.
Jasira Maroun: Do women ever look at them and feel good?
Melina Hines: Well, maybe. Is that how you feel? I mean, they're sexy pictures. How anyone feels when they look at them doesn't really matter. It's private. But how a kid your age got a magazine like this, that isn't private. Who gave you this?
Jasira Maroun: [no answer]
Melina Hines: Jasira, did an adult give you this?
Jasira Maroun: [no answer]
- ConnectionsFeatured in HBO First Look: Towelhead (2008)
- SoundtracksShe Drives Me Crazy
Written by David Steele & Roland Gift
Performed by Fine Young Cannibals
(c) 1988 EMI Virgin Music Ltd.
All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI Virgin Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
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- Also known as
- Untitled Alan Ball Project
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $372,124
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $52,823
- Sep 14, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $691,733
- Runtime
- 2h 4m(124 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1