DVD REVIEW

Teeth

The Weinstein Company || R || May 6, 2008

Synopsis

Dawn (Jess Weixler) is a pretty but prim high school virgin who unknowingly has a set of mutant teeth between her legs.  When a supposedly likeminded boyfriend forces himself upon her, Dawn’s vagina dentata start chomping – which is just the beginning.


Critique

Teeth is centered on a concept so simple, so innate and primal, that it leaves one to wonder why a film like this hasn’t been made before.  Scary for guys, scary for girls, the film takes the concept and runs with it.

We open at an abstinence conference, where Dawn gives a lecture about the importance of remaining pure.  “Keep your gift wrapped,” she tells her young audience, most of whom are in rapt attention.  Jess Weixler, who plays Dawn, is almost too sweet to be true.  She reminds me of Drew Barrymore or Keira Knightly.

Dawn’s town is dominated by an ominous looking nuclear power plant, which is reminiscent of The Simpsons, which works because the story is just odd enough to be part of a Treehouse of Horror episode.  It is never stated, but the presence of the nuclear power plant is the closest thing we get to an explanation of Dawn’s condition.  Is that what caused her to grow vaginal teeth?  Maybe, maybe not; that isn’t really the point.

More than anything, Dawn is scared, and her commitment to abstinence is the one thing that comforts her.  (The idea that abstinence is more about fear than anything else is one of the film’s subtler, more biting observations.)  Abstinence isn’t natural, and it doesn’t give her any greater understanding of herself.  The not-so-vague Christian undertones don’t make sense to her.  She’s a scared child whose mother is in no position to help her.

Teeth plays on the naturally frightening nature of vaginal teeth without ever being overly gruesome.  For guys, having their most important head turn into a carrot in Bugs Bunny’s hands is just … well, just thinking about it is painful.  For girls, the fear is more emotional, the fear of not being normal, the fear of not being in control of your own body.

That is the real journey of Teeth.  Dawn goes from having no control, to understanding and getting the first real grasp on her own body.  Control is all emotional for her.  If she is comfortable and into it, you’re fine.  If she isn’t, watch out.


Video

Teeth is presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio.  The transfer is sharp, and the film’s flat color palate is presented sharply.  The black and white levels are solid, and the overall picture is sharp.


Audio

This DVD is presented in Dolby digital sound.  The soundtrack is fairly simple and straightforward, but the presentation is solid, and all channels are clear and well balanced.


Special Features

Commentary by Writer/Director Mitchell Lichtenstein: the director talks about shooting the film (which some of the locals were convinced was pornography), the story, casting the piece and the abstinence programs that inspired the film.

Behind the Scenes of Teeth: cast and crew talks about the film.

Deleted Scenes: here we get five scenes with optional commentary.  There is some interesting stuff here.

Trailer: the original.

TV Spot: just that.


Final Thoughts

Teeth is a clever film that carries its ideas strongly throughout the whole film.  The writing is sharp, and the cast is excellent.  The DVD presentation is solid and the special features are interesting.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

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Review posted on Jun 25, 2008 | Share this article | Top of Page

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