A coming-of-age tale with a twist, Teeth takes a novel approach towards teen sexual angst. Sunny blonde Dawn (Jess Weixler, a Meryl Streep in the making) promotes abstinence at her high school. Her mother (Vivienne Benesch) is terminally ill, her half-brother (Nip/Tuck’s John Hensley) is a tattooed sociopath, and her stepfather (Lenny von Dohlen) does what he can to keep the household together. When Dawn meets doe-eyed transfer student Tobey (Hale Appleman), her celibacy vow is put to the test. Simultaneously, she starts to realize her anatomy differs from other girls. Though Dawn’s Austin environs recall the serene suburbs of Donnie Darko–except for the ominous smokestacks behind the family’s ranch house–her secret power brings her closer in line with Carrie. It’s a particularly feminine capability. When Carrie felt threatened, she used her mind as a weapon. In Dawn’s case, a certain physical anomaly comes into play: the vagina dentata of ancient mythology (Camille Paglia, author of Sexual Personae, served as a consultant on the film). At first, Dawn has no control over the situation and, like De Palma’s anti-heroine, she’s horrified. But actor-turned-director Mitchell Lichtenstein (Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet), son of artist Roy Lichtenstein, ends his debut on a very different note. Along the way, there’s satiric humor, squirm-inducing gore, and a star-making turn from Weixler, recipient of a special prize at Sundance for her “jaw-dropping performance.” Teeth is neither anti-male nor anti-female–as some detractors have claimed–but it’s definitely not for the squeamish or irony-impaired. –Kathleen C. Fennessy

As always, Free Admission and Popcorn & Refreshments for purchase!

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