Review: Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Reviews

Towelhead

A grosteque and unbelievable adaptation

By BRETT MICHEL | September 17, 2008

1.0 Stars

TOWELHEAD: Lots of button pushing, few believable individuals.

Why didn’t Alan Ball just title his film Sand Nigger or one of the other epithets bandied about in his grotesque adaptation of Alicia Erian’s novel? It’s clear he’s paid more attention to pushing buttons (yes, even that one) than putting believable humans on screen. Towelhead is the type of tripe that poses as enlightenment in “important” Oscar winners like Crash and American Beauty, and it’s guilty of more of the same: piling one contrivance on another, sacrificing character for contemptible irony. Worse, Ball’s directorial bow lacks the one element that elevated his overrated screenplay for American Beauty: Kevin Spacey’s career-defining performance. Newcomer Summer Bishil flounders as 13-year-old Jasira, a Lebanese-American Alice who’s entered a rabbit hole of molestation, mental abuse, racism, and rape in a Gulf War–era suburban Texas wonderland. Did veteran co-stars Maria Bello and Toni Collette (mothers both) actually believe this material was filmable? 124 minutes | Kendall Square

Related: Eagle Eye, The ultimate balancing act, Science and fiction, More

Topics: Reviews , Entertainment, Movies, Kevin Spacey, More

| More

ARTICLES BY BRETT MICHEL

REVIEW: FOR GREATER GLORY | May 29, 2012
Bring coffee, because director Dean Wright's dramatization of the 3-year-long Cristero War (1926-9) seems to last longer than the Mexican conflict itself.

REVIEW: GIRL IN PROGRESS | May 15, 2012
As rites of passage go, Girl in Progress is a step backward for the genre.

REVIEW: FIRST POSITION | May 10, 2012
While not the most probing look at rising stars, Bess Kargman's documentary focuses on six aspiring contestants preparing for the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix competition (a proven entry point into the world of professional ballet) who demonstrate dazzling talent.

REVIEW: THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL | May 03, 2012
Filled with Indian (and British) clichés, it is nonetheless a pleasant diversion that doesn't involve special effects or 3D glasses.

REVIEW: BLUE LIKE JAZZ | April 12, 2012
A faith-based film directed by Christian recording artist Steve Taylor, adapted by Taylor and Donald Miller from the latter's 2003 memoir, this micro-budgeted indie tries to appeal to everyone by not offending anyone . . . except those who like movies.