Towelhead

Towelhead (2008)

  • 48% of critics liked it
    (113 reviews)

  • 60% of users liked it
    (4,187 ratings)

Six Feet Under creator and American Beauty screenwriter Alan Ball makes his feature directorial debut with this screen adaptation of author Alicia Erian's controversial novel Towelhead. Jasira (Summer Bishil) is a 13-year-old Arab-American who's contending with the pains of adolescence when her life… More

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R, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By
Alan Ball
Written By
Alan Ball, Alicia Erian
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Sep 8, 2007 Wide
On DVD
Dec 30, 2008
Warner Independent

Critic Reviews

  • J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

    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.

  • Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

    There is hardly a scene that does not produce exquisite discomfort and a strong desire to be somewhere else.

  • Ben Lyons, At the Movies

    It wasn't enjoyable at any level.

  • Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

    This movie will challenge you on a number of levels, including some beliefs you'd never thought you'd question.

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    It is certainly possible to make a transgressive movie about children in sexual jeopardy, and to do so in ways that realistically and intelligently depict the abuse while not revelling in it.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Nicki M


    Very dark for a comedy,(at least I assume it was intended to be a comedy). Kind of in some ways like a Todd Solondz film. Good but I think tied up a little too easily at the ends and the actual ending I didn't like too much and couldn't see why they chose to end the film… More

  • Cassandra M


    How Can You Find Yourself if No One Can See You? Plot: A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War. I got really, really, but I mean, really lucky to catch this at the Deauville American Film… More

  • _kelly .


    Alan Ball writes (adapts) and directs. Powerful in capturing the awkward and tumultuous moments of sexual awakening and identity affirmation. Summer Bishil shines in the lead role of Jasira, and Aaron Eckhart is to be commended for taking on this controversial role. The… More

  • Dean M


    This is bruising stuff and unrelentingly uncomfortable, with a good deal of the screen time devoted to a 13-year-old Lebanese-American Jasira being pawed, made to strip, lectured, harassed or raped. I felt sorry for her. The entertainment value is negligible to say the least, and… More

  • Lorenzo v


    <i>"How Can You Find Yourself if No One Can See You?"</i> A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War. <b><u>REVIEW</u></b> Alan Ball steps on… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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