Having not written a screenplay since 1999's American Beauty, the film world has been ready for Alan Ball for quite some time. However, I feel that no one was ready for Alan Ball in this kind of way. Creating a story that revolves around a 13-year-old-Arab-American girl, Ball's latest film ventures where few films have ever dared to go before. Diving into the complex and highly personal affair of a woman going through adolescence and self-discovery, Towelhead quickly becomes a controversial film of beauty and evolution, one that will repulse many but should still be seen by all.
The film tells the story of Jasira, a new teen who is beginning to experience the wonders of adolescence. When her mother sends her to Houston to live with her strict and socially unaware Lebanese father, Jasira quickly realizes that growing up is not going to be easy.
Played to pain-staking perfection by newcomer Summer Bishil, Jasira is a woman of confusion. Every action she makes is done with caution as she fears her father's punishment, giving audience members an uneasy and over anxious feeling of remorse and disbelief. Her interaction with her cast mates are priceless as her facial expressions speak volumes, sending screaming messages to the audience that help to covey the importance of every thought and action.
But it isn't just Bishil who shocks as both Peter Macdissi and Aaron Eckhart give bone-chilling performances as Jasira's father and next-door neighbor respectively. Together, both men help to create a three sided story that intertwines to no end, leaving you speechless in the wake of every scene.
However, more than the characters in which they portray, it is the flawless performance of both men that really helps the story to keep a steady pace throughout. From their ill perceptions of one another to their unexpected actions on screen, both men turn in shocking performances in unexpected roles that continue to take audience members by surprise, long after the credits have rolled.
Not to be outdone, Toni Collette, possibly the most underappreciated actress in Hollywood, gives a bold and powerful performance as Melina Hines, Jasira's one true savior. Serving as the lone female force within the film, Collette has a huge responsibility as she quickly becomes Jasira's female counterpart and protector. However, it isn't necessarily her character or path that helps her propel throughout this feature, but rather her ability to create and maintain the energy and intensity that is required for a film of this stature. Her body language is impeccably brilliant as it demands your attention and quickly reveals just how independent she truly is. Her actions propel a sense of confidence as she serves as the perfect role model for the troubled and unknowing teen.
But even with all of the stellar performances from the usual stars, Towelhead has one large handicap that no actor or performance can overcome"¦its story. Tackling the highly controversial subject of a woman growing up to discover her sexual side, the film is not meant for everyone. But with that said, I have to point out the beauty and dignity that director Alan Ball inserts into his work.
With each scene, the Academy Award winner captures the raw emotion and energy that is circulating around its characters, showcasing their best actions and personifying them to give each a strong, exaggerated feel. His camera work is stellar as he shoots the disturbing scenes with beauty and class, never venturing into the actions, instead allowing the mind to fill in the unattractive blanks. As a result, Ball is able to take a controversial subject and turn it into a story and character centered film that is sure to spark discussions over its subject matter, its characters and most importantly, its story.
