Review of Towelhead (2008) by Sean C — 10 Mar 2009

I checked this out because I love Alan Ball. And wow...this is not what I thought it was. It's a decent film with interesting characters and some great Ball writing in parts, but overall this doesn't feel like American Beauty or Six Feet Under. It feels like Ball has been getting a little lazy and not crafting the deep, layered films/shows that he used to (that goes for True Blood too, although that show overcomes is scripting problems).

The cast in this film is terrific with a standout performances from Peter Macdissi as the father. I think at the end of the day, my only real problem with the story is that I couldn't relate to anyone in it. There reallly wasn't anyone to get me grounded into it. I felt like I was watching a movie, not involved.

Still...a decent flick and a great directorial debut from Ball (an area where he proved himself more than his script).