Towelhead (a.k.a. Nothing is Private)
How can you find yourself if no one can see you?
"Who are you?" Jasira Maroun's strict, Lebanese-born father asks. Jasira isn't sure. She's a typical 13 year old. And an Arab-American who's anything but typical to folks in her Houston suburbs. She's drawn to a boy at school. And to a hunky, married Army Reservist neighbor. She's curious about sex. And clueless about relationships. Then all these who are yous collide in a series of fateful, emotional, frequently funny events, and Jasira's life changes forever. Oscar and Emmy winning filmmaker Alan Ball and a fine cast headed by Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello and newcomer Summer Bishil combine talents in a fresh, honest coming of age story. Who is Jasira? The answer - and answers - may surprise you.
Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Alicia Erian.
Member Reviews
Count this issues, win a prize - every1sacritic
I never realized I was a prude until I saw this film. I mean, how many times do I have to see a young girls menses and the paraphanelia that goes with it in all its bloody glory. Why anyone would think it was even remotely funny is beyond me. A more appropriate title would have been 'Hammerhead' for all the subtely Director Alan Ball brings to it. The film seems to think the focus is on prejudice, which was the least troubling issue (to whit, cast members in the Special Feature discussion said being called names didn't really affect them). I was disgusted with every adult in the film except for Jasiras' next door neighbors who appear to be the only sane people in this wasteland of suburbia. I haven't read the book by Alicia Erian but the film reads like a lesson in amorality... rape, physical abuse, mental abuse, exploitation, prejudice. I got the impression that Director Alan Ball was really interested in the sexcapades of a 13 year old virgin conveniently disguised amongst the relentless plethora of issues broached in this film.
The cast do an admirable job of trying to portray their respective characters but the story does not allow for them to be fully realized so we have little understanding of why these people are so ridiculous, but maybe that's a good thing.Jasira 101 - luminol
In the Ballian fictional world (Writer-Director Alan Ball) love may be frought with endless complications, but sex is as easy as breathing---free of any moralizing and shame. In the real world, a story about a young girl discovering her sexuality---the line between tastefully rendered and sleazy is going to be paper thin, however Ball manages to walk it right down the middle.
In addition to being bombarded by highly sexualized images of women, Jasira also has to struggle with her parents laughable parenting skills which are most times---in woeful contradiction to the precepts they are trying to instill. Her father routinely abandons her alone in the house, while he goes off on one of his booty runs with his new girlfriend. The Mother (Maria Bello) is just as bad, choosing her own happiness over her daughter's welfare.
The title of the film is a misnomer; "Towelhead" isn't about rascism. Nothing happens to Jasira because she's half Lebanese. The worst name calling is done by children, but children only learn from the world around them. It's more about learned behaviors, nurturing and welcoming the right people into your life. Her father, openly admits the world around them is racist---but he merely wants to preempt any future unhappiness for her.
Peter Macdissi is amazing as her bigoted father, Rifat. Aaron Eckhart seems to alternate between the perfect boyfriend and bad boy roles; it won't take you long to discover which one he's playing this time.Superb! With a satisfyingly happy ending. - Yogini
The way girls are usually brought up is the focal point of the story: Jasira has been constrained by her environment and society to be extremely naive, and has been forced by a bullying father to be automatically complying - a dangerous combination which damages, irrevocably, many young girls. In this film, the young girl has a wise friend and mother-figure, played Toni Collette (a great actor!), who is willing to take a huge risk and come to her rescue. Most of us would just turn a blind eye, and hope not to be too upset by the consequences. We might even blame the victim, because doing so would absolve us from the guilt that our society must bear. It isn't only selfish Lebanese fathers (played superbly by Peter Macdissi) and self-centred, narcissistic mothers who disadvantage their daughters; ordinary, everyday, loving parents do it all the time. This is an excellent film for discuss with your teen-agers - but watch it first, to make sure you can cope with all the nuances.
Member Reviews
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Count this issues, win a prize - every1sacritic
I never realized I was a prude until I saw this film. I mean, how many times do I have to see a young girls menses and the paraphanelia that goes with it in all its bloody glory. Why anyone would think it was even remotely funny is beyond me. A more appropriate ...Jasira 101 - luminol
In the Ballian fictional world (Writer-Director Alan Ball) love may be frought with endless complications, but sex is as easy as breathing---free of any moralizing and shame. In the real world, a story about a young girl discovering her sexuality---the line ...Superb! With a satisfyingly happy ending. - Yogini
The way girls are usually brought up is the focal point of the story: Jasira has been constrained by her environment and society to be extremely naive, and has been forced by a bullying father to be automatically complying - a dangerous combination which damages, ...