I don't quite know where to start here, suffice to say it is good to see that innovative and disturbing themes are constantly introduced into popular culture

Teeth

**** out of ***** 

Director/Writer: Michael Lichenstein

Year: 2007, US 

Starring: Jess Weixler, John Hensley, Josh Pais, Hale Appleman, Ashley Springer

Genre: Horror 

"Watch out boy she'll chew you up, Oh here she comes, She's a man-eater." Who would have known that Hall & Oates could predict one of the best movies of 2007 with their 1982 song. Director Mitchell Liechtenstein's "Teeth" (2007) is a well written, well directed and well acted horror movie centred around the vagina dentata myth, a woman who has teeth in her vagina.

Dawn O'Keefe (Jess Weixler) is the leader of a youth abstinence group that tells teens to save sex for marriage and speaks at events for her organisation to encourage others to stay sex-free. As the film progresses, Dawn's commitment to abstinence seems to be a fear of her own body, brilliantly illustrated by Liechtenstein in a dream sequence where Dawn envisions her wedding night with fellow pro-abstinence member Tobey (Hale Appleman) while slowly moving to touch herself then is suddenly haunted by the image of an old monster movie scorpion with a mouth full of gaping teeth.

Eventually the bond between Tobey and Dawn deepens, but Tobey wants to take their relationship much further than Dawn is comfortable with. When he tries to go against her will, she chews him up and spits him out. Literally. I saw more dismembered male genitalia in this movie than I ever thought I would in my life, putting this as a must see for gore-hounds in for some bloody sweet revenge.

Weixler won a Special Dramatic Jury Prize for Acting when the movie premiered at Sundance and I'm blown away that she didn't win more awards. Her performance is incredible in moving from the very conservative abstinence advocate afraid of her own sexuality to a more empowered woman who understands her sexuality. All the actors around her also do a great job, especially Dawn's step-brother Brad (John Hensley).

The great performance that Weixler delivers goes hand in hand with a clever and engaging script by Liechtenstein He turns the vagina dentata mythology on its head by making the story more about the suppression of information and understanding of sexuality and difference rather than the typical moral lesson of vagina dentata that puts female sexuality as something to be conquered and overcome by a male hero. The script and directing really reminded me of "Donnie Darko" (2001) in the depiction of any-town suburbia and conservative social norms.

Often horror movies get critiqued for their depiction of women, like Brian De Palma's "Carrie" (1976). There are some definite similarities with "Teeth" in having the lead female protagonist that has a lack of understanding about her sexuality, even to the point of fearing it, along with some mysterious powers that punish those who wronged her. I think "Teeth" goes a little further though in bringing a full character development in Dawn who is able to become empowered by her sexuality. Liechtenstein avoids some of the more blatant objectification of the leading female role that De Palma is criticised for and, I think, builds an overall stronger script. Even the names reference feminism and vaginal imagery with the main character Dawn O'Keefe's last name being a reference to artist Georgia O'Keefe who is known for her use of vaginal imagery.

The music and sound in the movie is incredibly well done with an intense and subtle soundtrack that sets the tone of each scene well. The sound effects used for the teeth and the dismemberment are especially cringe-worthy and add to the feeling of each scene individually.

Even though I've mostly mentioned the gore in the movie, the humour is incredibly strong. Liechtenstein has some great comedic timing and dialogue in his writing that kept me laughing just thinking about them. Liechtenstein uses  every part of the film to push the comedy and the story. Overall, "Teeth" is a great movie, with a well balanced amount of comedy, horror and gore it's more than just a one-trick-castration-pony.

This film will screen in Wellington at The Paramount on July 28 at 8:15pm and July 30 at 8:45pm.

Please refer to the Film Fest home-page for more information on screenings in other parts of the country