It makes sense that the scenes are pitched between icky and titillating, but the lack of delicacy reduces everything to stock sordidness.
Comment
10/17/08
Towelhead (2008)
47
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:109
Fresh:51
Rotten:58
Average Rating:5.3/10
Consensus: This story of politics, race and, sexual awakening has moments that pack a punch, but overall, Towelhead never quite achieves the nuance of helmer Alan Ball's television work.
Runtime: 2 hrs 4 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Alan Ball, who won an Oscar for his AMERICAN BEAUTY screenplay and an Emmy for the hit cable series SIX FEET UNDER, which he created, makes his feature-film directorial debut with the controversial... [More]
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, Peter Macdissi
Director: Alan Ball
Reviews for Towelhead
Brings up some interesting points, but it's also too eager to shock and too eager to condemn.
10/12/08
A gutsy, sometimes tragic, sometimes comic film about racist and sexist attitudes in middle America which have to be negotiated by a young teenage girl.
10/10/08
At times, the film feels like it will collapse under the weight of its twists and excesses, but somehow it manages to hang together.
10/10/08
As uncomfortable to watch as it is compelling, this film adaptation of Alicia Erian's novel is saved from mere ordeal status by a hopeful and uncliched ending.
10/10/08
[Ball] succeeds admirably and with dramatic force, blending themes of racism, liberalism, emotional betrayal, abuse, hate speech and pedophilia into a confronting adult drama peppered with shocks and black humour.
10/10/08
There seems to be a lot going on in this film, but somehow it’s all rather unpalatable and unsatisfactory. The one thing you can say about it is that Aaron Eckhardt is very brave.
10/10/08
As confronting as the movie is, I saw it as hopeful and a caution, but I admit I'm biased towards freedom of expression. There are no questions of consent here, only one's preparedness to be confronted.
10/10/08
If you love brave films that aren't afraid to step over the line, you might appreciate this.
10/06/08
As a story, Jasira's deflowering and surrounding socialisation issues perhaps make for top reading, but as the film turns a mental image into concrete visuals, it requires much greater finesse to make it cinema
10/04/08
Ball falls prey to his own inadequacies and makes a movie audiences are going to feel awfully uncomfortable watching.
10/01/08
...this loathsome movie sullies actors and audience alike...
09/29/08
While it’s onscreen, the film moves, incites, and jabs, all while reminding us how difficult it is to grow up female and sane in this world.
09/26/08
It's Ball's complex and frank approach to subject matter normally depicted in black-and-white terms that distinguishes Towelhead from so many coming-of-age dramas before it.
09/26/08
The coming-of-age molestation drama Towelhead is beautifully acted and accomplishes exactly what writer/director Alan Ball set out to accomplish.
09/26/08
The performances make the material more human and accessible, mainly from the film's brave young star, Summer Bishil.
09/26/08
Alan Ball's flair for ironic drama is not the answer for Towelhead.
09/26/08
It turns out that 'Towelhead' is not a slur, it's a directive. Putting towels over our heads, large enough to cover our faces, may be the preferred mode in which to view this film.
09/26/08
The movie takes as its subject grown-ups' incomprehension of adolescent sexuality, but tells us nothing really new about it %u2014 the picture seems rather uncomprehending itself.
09/26/08
The film is pretty unfocused and rambling. Some good performances can't overcome those flaws or the film's sudden, jarring changes in the tone.
09/25/08
Latest News for Towelhead
January 03, 2009:
In a movie that was once more aptly titled, Nothing Is Private, Towelhead kicks open the suburban bedroom door and exposes often silent personal terrors that are both rudely shocking and uncomfortably familiar. 
More...
December 29, 2008:
RT on DVD: A Matthew McConaughey Stinker or Event Horizon on Blu-ray?
It's officially the last DVD release week of the year, although much like the box office, most big-ticket new releases debuted last week in time for Christmas. Nevertheless,... More...
December 28, 2008:
In a movie that was once more aptly titled, Nothing Is Private, Towelhead kicks open the suburban bedroom door and exposes often silent personal terrors that are both rudely shocking and uncomfortably familiar.
More...
September 12, 2008:
Aaron Eckhart Talks Towelhead, Life After TDK
He's been around for awhile, but he's never starred in something as huge as "The Dark Knight" -- so what's it like being Aaron Eckhart right now? The Deadbolt's Jordan Riefe... More...
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