Movie reviews

BABYTEETH

Watchable. I try not to read about a movie before seeing it so I didn't know it was going to be about yet another teenager with cancer. Normally even a thought about this worn, tacky subject makes me sick. However, this candy-coloured Australian caper managed to resist slushiness for long enough to prevent me from walking out. The corny ending ruined it but she finally died - no spoilers here, it's just the rule of the genre. When Moses staggers (attempting to swagger) onto the platform he resembles a drunk British tourist so much it's no surprise the actor (Toby Wallace) is British. His eyes look stoned and his demeanour is so addict-like you have to make sure the actor is not a junkie himself. But Ben Mendelsohn as the girl's father out-acts everyone. This widely experienced actor is the highlight of the picture bringing in humourous tones and lightening the mood. The topic is treated admittedly originally. Still, it appears to applaud drug use - all the four main characters do and even their pregnant neighbour smokes. The whole thing feels weird. And the picture could do without chapter titles - no reason for them.