Today's Article
Vagina Dentata...The Movie
Media / 7/22/2008 1:23:02 AM
Some of you may remember us mentioning "Teeth" a few months back. I recommended it as part of our list in the Celebrating Killer Women article during its theatrical release. Now available on DVD we thought we should give you the extended, male take on the film! Enjoy our guest author, Jude Mire, as he winces and endorses this charming tale. Perfect for a summer date night!
A
lot of things go through my mind when thinking about the movie "Teeth",
not the least of which is; I've never seen a film with so many chomped off
dicks! This is followed by, uncomfortably, the realization that I actually
enjoyed watching it quite a bit.
Written and directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein (son of famed artist, Roy Lichtenstein *gasp!*) it is a coming of age story that seriously explores the loss of sexual innocence, while not-so-seriously plays with the ancient mythology of vagina dentata. If you haven't gotten the memo, that's sharp teeth lurking in girls panties. It's not the sort of mythology they taught in school, but it's true, interesting, and more than a little freaky.
Jess Weixler won a Sundance performance award for her portrayal of Dawn; a young, sweet, and outspokenly virginal girl who, in the beginning, has no idea about her toothy secret. When her crush, a fellow member of her abstinence group, decides he's had enough patience and tries to force his hand, he gets a lot more than he bargained for!
The grizzly scene forces Dawn to deal with what happened and face her femininity. Of course, every step of the way there are men looking to abuse and take advantage of her, jerks, her gynecologist, her junkie brother, just about everyone. Her stepfather is, strangely enough, the only positive male in the whole story. Dawn transforms from her naiveté into a vagina vigilante (vaginalante?) eventually coming to terms with her strange power and using it to punish chauvinist bastards in a tremendous bloody display of girl power grown fangs in just the right place. The whole movie is kind of like Jaws meets American Pie.
The idea might seem ridiculous and in poor taste, but the execution is (for the most part) subtle and builds with an even pace. It's set in a very normal pseudo-suburbia living under the smoke belching shadow of a nuclear plant. Mutations are implied, not broadcast. The conflict and confusion of poor Dawn helps bring the over-the-top idea down to a personal level and the clear theme of self-identity brings a sobriety you wouldn't think to expect. They used Camille Paglia, a feminist expert (among many things), as a consultant and the serious influence is evident.
The story goes straight for the balls (almost) and will easily strike a nerve with most male viewers. Guys, don't be surprised if while you're squirming and crossing your legs through the spurting serrations, your girlfriend, wife, whatever woman you see this with, will likely be giggling in glee.
It'll make you want to wear a cup to bed, but it's worth watching!
Shudderingly, Jude Mire
Jill's p.s. Here at Killer-works we pride ourselves in finding obscure but relevant connections. Check out this bit on Starbucks and vagina dentata! Hilarious! Bottoms up!!