Teeth (2007/I)

Director:

Mitchell Lichtenstein

Writer (WGA):

Mitchell Lichtenstein (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 2008 (Singapore)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Every rose has its thorns.

Plot:

Still a stranger to her own body, a high school student discovers she has a physical advantage when she becomes the object of male violence.

Plot Keywords:

Power Plant | Vagina Dentata | Girlfriend | Stolen Car | Severed Penis

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Jess Weixler	...	Dawn
John Hensley	...	Brad
Josh Pais	...	Dr. Godfrey
Hale Appleman	...	Tobey
Lenny von Dohlen	...	Bill
Vivienne Benesch	...	Kim
Ashley Springer	...	Ryan
Julia Garro	...	Gwen
Nicole Swahn	...	Melanie
Adam Wagner	...	Phil
Hunter Ulvog	...	Little Brad
Ava Ryen Plumb	...	Little Dawn
Trent Moore	...	Mr. Vincent
Mike Yager	...	Elliot
Nathan Parsons	...	Soda Spritzer

MPAA:

Rated R for disturbing sequences involving sexuality and violence, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | Dolby SR

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA | South Korea:18 | Singapore:R21 | Ireland:18 | Hong Kong:III | UK:18 | New Zealand:R18

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Teeth

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the beginning, in the first shot of dawn in the hallway right after she gives her speech, an extra walking by looks directly and obviously into the camera.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bill: Hey Brad, don't splash your sister.

Movie Connections:

References Gunned Down (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Poolside Samba

A True Horror/Comedy

If all you know about 'Teeth' is the premise, you probably think it's a typical B horror film. In fact, this movie is very good and very fun. I don't mean so-bad-it's-good, I mean good.

The key is that the movie is restrained. You get the shots that will make you cringe--the filmmakers don't skimp on the juicy stuff--but nothing outrageous. More importantly, 'Teeth' is well acted and written. In some indie films, the dialogue is so bad it's distracting. Not this one. In fact, movies in this genre can go overboard at almost any point--a rogue scientist arriving to explain everything, buckets of blood, or just a scene that goes too far and makes you laugh instead of scream. 'Teeth' deftly avoids the pitfalls. It is scary, funny, and never too much, at least not for me.

This movie isn't an Oscar-worthy drama, but it could be a cult classic. I, for one, left the theatre with my money's worth and then some.