Disturbing Themes of Underage Sex, Racism and Predatory Perversions Raises More Questions than Leaves Answers

    Before I began the reviewing of films in the DVD format, I, on occasion, would not finish some. I have been in the possession of one of the Blockbuster plans for a number of years and that made the value of my time infinitely more valuable than the cost of video rental fees. In the past, and before my present duty of reviewing films, I would not complete movies that were poorly made or offended my sensibilities in any way. Today, I finish them so that I can complete my task of informing you of all the reasons why you should not watch the movie, or quite possibly, as is the case of "Towelhead" (a.k.a. "Nothing is Private"), why this film may have some redeeming value, irrespective of the fact that it is not such a great film.

    "Towelhead" is, however, a film that deals with a variety of issues: racism, underage sex and predatory perversions such as grown men preying upon the emotions and the body of a young girl, 14 years old. The film does not paint a picture of the relative struggle between good and evil, but moreover of a struggle


    The saddest of the lot is Travis Vuoso, portrayed by Aaron Eckhart. Vuoso, who is married with one stupid and very spoiled child, has a very narrow minded view regarding the differences within humans, and yet, he enjoys the company of underage females, irrespective of their racial differences - providing they are attractive.

    The underage female in question is of mixed Lebanese / Caucasian descent named Jasira Mauroun, portrayed by 19 year old Summer Bishil. Jasira had recently been shipped off to live with her Lebanese father, Rifat Mauroun, played by Peter Macdissi, after her Caucasian mother, portrayed by Maria Bello, could not control her sleazy boyfriend's behavior around her beautiful nubile daughter. Sadly, once she arrives to live with her father, we find that he is emotionally ill equipped to raise his daughter due to his middle eastern draconian approach to dealing with the rather sensitive issues concerning his, or any other, teenage daughter. Her father's ineffective male attention is promptly replaced by Travis Vuoso, who is totally confused on how a man, nearing middle age, should treat a 13 /14 year old female - irrespective of her level of attractiveness.

    Jasira is offered no guidance from her father or her mother to answer the question of how does she deal with her abundant sexuality, and, regardless of the really creepy affections of Travis, she still has a propensity towards underage and senseless sex. The only adults in her limited world exemplifying any responsible behavior are Jasira's neighbors, Gil and Melina Hines, respectively portrayed by Mat Letscher and Toni Colette. They offer an oasis of relative sanity, amidst her confluence of confused relationships, once they notice the improper actions of creepy neighbor Travis Vuoso, and later Jasira's father, who has a pension for hitting.

    "Towelhead," directed by Alan Ball, who also handled the screenplay duties, posed many questions among Jasira's many interpersonal and sexual conflicts, but offered few resolutions. Life for most of us is pretty complicated: I get that. The fact that Jasira's life is more complicated than most everyone else's due to her sexual abuse, and subsequent abundant sexuality: Well, I get that too. Maybe that's the point - Jasira's life is really screwed up and maybe from a relative perspective: our's not so much. The audience is, however, left with a scene between she and her boyfriend, who is sexually active with the 14 year old Jasira, that wishes to continue their relationship, but would opt not to have sex with her because of all she has endured. Will this put Jasira on the right track? We never find out, but I doubt it. The film had already run close to its 116 minutes, and obviously the director felt compelled to call this one to a close, irrespective of any need for some resolution.

    Alan Ball wrote the screenplay for "American Beauty," a really fine and entertaining film, with a message. "Towelhead" actually doesn't offer any of those attributes, but it does serve as fodder to stimulate manner questions for a set of seriously disturbing issues. Because it gave us the old college try, I feel compelled to give it 2 1/4 stars for the attempt, but be warned: do not expect any cogent message or to be entertained. That's my message.

    Released on DVD December 30, 2008. Rated R.