TEETH is a satirical horror film that explores the mythology of vagina dentata (toothed vagina in latin), the myth created by men that plays on the fears of impotency. Supposedly, a "hero" must arise to return to the womb, his origins to conquer and neutralize the female's power. In this modern age, the film is more a comedic cautionary tale for men to take care in their treatment of women. While I have seen a very similar Japanese film in 2006, this film is a whole different experience since its Japanese counterpart is a lot more exploitive when it comes to visual blood and gore.
Dawn (Jess Weixler) is a very pretty but prim high school virgin who unknowingly has a set of mutant teeth between her legs. When a supposedly like minded boyfriend forces himself upon her, Dawn's "vagina dentata" start chomping in her defense. Caught between her emerging sexuality and a host of oversexed young men, including her twisted half-brother, Dawn eventually gives in to her freakish powers in this morbidly funny and gutsy piece of horror-comedy...
Director Michell Lichtensen knew exactly what he was going for when he made this film. The filmmakers give a somewhat critical view as to why the conservatives treat sex as something to be avoided and sinful, a theme that says that teenagers should understand their bodies, an accusing finger at the smoke stacked refineries and nuclear plants, and that the "weaker sex" have to be respected. "Teeth" is more comedy than horror with its very humorous hints as to the mutated vagina as shown with the tree trunk's base and the mouth of the cave. You don't actually see the mutated culprit but you will see a lot of bitten off penises with blood spewing out, some nudity and mild sequences of intercourse. Even a dog named "mother" gets to have a "hotdog" for a snack and the film has the most twistedly funny scene of vaginal examination.
The film has a lot of potential for exploitation, but the blood and gore is very mild. The filmmakers opted to just create a culture wherein the consequences of uneducated teenagers can turn out fatal if they don't have the understanding of one's body. Lichtensen goes to the myth of "vagina dentata" to express this idea, it's not that Dawn cannot engage in intercourse, but she has to be relaxed and perfectly willing. "Vagina Dentata" may well be saying; "you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.." and "No means no". Try to violate Dawn in any way and you will lose your manhood literally. The film is pretty much a social metaphor about woman empowerment instead of going for exploitive scares. He sidesteps the plot's very erotic and exploitation potential to present a satirical horror drama that revolves more on teen problems and perverted teenagers.
I'm not exactly sure just exactly how I felt about "Teeth". The film is very amusing to watch and it did manage to keep my interest for its entirety, I was never bored but I wasn‘t exactly entertained either. I guess I was just very curious to how everything would turn out. Anyway, much of the plot is left unexplored, the police's investigation of Tobey's death has left unanswered, (it was very funny and scary that they found a shark-like tooth embedded on the severed penis) and Dawn's parents seem more like plot devices than anything else. The editing isn't really that solid and the pace is very slow-moving which makes the tension-building music a little unnecessary. Brad (Dawn's step brother) is severely underdeveloped and there were no hints of him being irrational aside from the hints that he likes doing it in the backdoor to avoid being nicked by a vagina. He had a very traumatic episode in a game of "show me yours and I'll show you mine". I think the film would be funnier and more entertaining if it added shots of the mutated culprit like its Asian counterpart.
I don't know, while I truly commend the film's ambition, I think this film would be better with a hint of supernatural elements mixed in to express its social issues. "Teeth" isn't a bad movie at all, but the direction felt like it was being held back by something and stopped short in its execution. I couldn't really figure out if the director is strengthening or criticizing the male anxiety or whether it was just making fun of itself. It does have a very interesting premise; a very peculiar take on puberty. Have you heard of the age-old adage that penises have a mind of their own? Nonetheless, "Teeth" is worth a look, I'm very curious as what other folks think of this comedy-horror.
Recommended! [3 Out of 5 Stars]
