Towelhead

View Date: 11/3/09

This movie is about an American-born teenage girl who is of Middle Eastern descent. After her mother's boyfriend helps address the issue of hair growth during puberty, her mom accuses her of seducing the boyfriend and sends her to live with her strict father.

The girl's father is strict and believes in corporal punishment. He makes it a point to try and show his patriotism everywhere he can. He does not know how to raise a child, let alone a girl. At school, the girl experiences greater prejudice than when she lived with her mother, including being called “towelhead”. She does become close with the next-door neighbor who winds up giving her lessons she did not wish to experience with him. Her father forbids her from seeing her boyfriend because he is black. Luckily, a neighbor and her husband also befriend her, and provide her with a safe place.

This movie received critical buzz, and I can understand why. The story was painful to watch but also brilliantly acted. The background of the female neighbor's husband really helped the story progress and reminded the viewer that not everyone in this country is the typical “stupid American”.

10 words or less: Good movie, but hard to watch at points.