Towelhead (2008)
Tomatometer
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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.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Oct 9, 2008 Wide
US Box Office: $277,354
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
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
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 2/6 |
It makes sense that the scenes are pitched between icky and titillating, but the lack of delicacy reduces everything to stock sordidness. Full Review |
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At times, the film feels like it will collapse under the weight of its twists and excesses, but somehow it manages to hang together. Full Review |
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3/5 |
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. Full Review |
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4/5 |
[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. Full Review |
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2/5 |
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. Full Review |
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4/5 |
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. Full Review |
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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 Full Review |
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The discomfort zones of a young girl cry for sympathetic toughness, not Ball's snickering at pubic hair and clammy suburbanites Full Review |
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3/4 |
A philosophy of the appeal of innocence and perversion in a repressed world... Full Review |
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Click to read the article Full Review |
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4/4 |
Few may have paid attention during its theatrical run, but DVD should offer a whole new life to a smart, engaging film that genuinely has something worthwhile to say. Full Review |
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2/4 |
Towelhead makes "American Beauty" look like a quaint suburban drama. Full Review |
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As a director [Ball] amplifies the flaws in his own writing; his supporting characters are too broadly pitched to take seriously, and he tends to smack you in the face with the point of every scene. Full Review |
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There is hardly a scene that does not produce exquisite discomfort and a strong desire to be somewhere else. Full Review |
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3/4 |
Deftly sidesteps the muckraking and instead serves up an affecting drama about a lovely child who can't seem to catch a break from most of the adults surrounding her. Full Review |
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Ball drops the poisonous little voodoo dolls he mistakes for characters into a ... realistic environment, as though that will somehow render his story more "serious." Full Review |
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It wasn’t enjoyable at any level. Full Review |
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This movie will challenge you on a number of levels, including some beliefs you’d never thought you’d question. Full Review |
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An empty provocation that's about as classy and subtle as its title. Full Review |
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2/5 |
It is a multicultural Lolita that searches for, but still manages to miss, any redemptive core its source material may boast. Full Review |
CommentLatest 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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