"Towelhead" has sparked controversy with its title, which is a derogatory term referring to Arabs that definitely needs to disappear from the lexicon. But it's what's in the movie that ought to stir discussion.It shouldn't matter what ethnic or cultural background a viewer has; anyone who watches this film and doesn't recognize a dictionary definition of bad parenting needs to be educated. It's incredible that you have to take a test to drive a car, yet all you need to bring a child into the world is to use the right body parts at the right time of the month.At 13, Jasira Maroun (Summer Bishil) is saddled with a self-centered, jealous mother, Gail (Maria Bello), who doesn't like the effect Jasira's ripening body has on Gail's boyfriend, Barry (Chris Messina). Gail sends the clueless Jasira to live with her father, Rifat (Peter Macdissi), in Houston on the eve of the first Gulf War.Rifat, an arrogant Lebanese-born American citizen, has nothing good to say about his ex, and he's not impressed with the way she's been bringing up Jasira. Rifat treats Jasira like something disgusting that should only be picked up with a tissue. Part of his disapproval of her comes from his upbringing in a male-dominated culture, but much of it simply has to do with Rifat's own selfishness.Jasira is treated unkindly at school by fellow students, who are unsettled by her name and skin tone as well as her womanly figure. One classmate, Thomas (Eugene Jones), apologizes after insulting her, and they become friends.Rifat is dismissive of neighbors in their cookie-cutter cul-de-sac who try to make friends, but he can't stop Evelyn (Carrie Preston) and her husband, Travis (Aaron Eckhart). They insist on hiring Jasira to baby-sit their son, Zack (Chase Ellison). Rifat also can't keep newlyweds Melina (Toni Collette) and Gil (Matt Letscher) from befriending Jasira.One day with Zack, Jasira discovers Travis' stash of porn magazines and peruses them. They speak to her in a more inclusive way than all the mixed signals she gets from parents and peers. Travis is shocked when Jasira says she likes the books, and he begins to look at her in a new, inappropriate way.Directed and written by Alan Ball and based on Alicia Erian's novel, "Towelhead" takes a frank look at teen sexuality and the hypocritical nature of sexuality in the United States. The film's other hot-button issue, pedophilia, will be too much for some viewers.Ball handles the themes carefully, and outstanding performances -- especially by Bishil (who's 20) and Eckhart -- make "Towelhead" provocative.Rated R for strong disturbing sexual content and abuse involving a young teen, and for language.Four stars (out of five)(Contact Knoxville News Sentinel film critic Betsy Pickle at pickle(at)knews.com.)
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