-Written by Kyle Bain.
Charlie (Emma Parks) is finally ready to have sex, but the memory of her mother explaining the repercussions of these actions haunts her. Her mother, Elizabeth (Laura Coover), once explained that when you have sex you become a Dirty Towel–and there’s no going back. This unique coming-of-age dramedy tackles age-old stereotypes surrounding women, their bodies, and their sexual endeavors.
Interestingly enough, a film about teenage sex titled Dirty Towel starts off intensely. With Elizabeth giving a much younger Charlie “the talk,” viewers are pulled in close, forced to see the intensity on Elizabeth’s face as she almost berates her young daughter in regard to what she might do sexually in the future. There’s a level of discomfort present in this opening scene, one that manages to transcend the entirety of Dirty Towel and keep viewers on edge even through the more comedic moments. It’s fair to say that this intensity is necessary for the film to work how Writer-Director Callie Carpinteri and Co-Writer Parks would have intended.
While viewers follow Charlie very closely, and there is a fair amount of comedy present, the fact of the matter is that this team is attempting to tackle the stereotypes and stigmas that surround women–particularly in regard to their sexual experiences. It’s a challenging subject to address; it’s one that needs to be approached with tact and care. Dirty Towel is honest, but uses comedy to get its message across throughout. What is essential to the film is an effective balance. That balance is most definitely achieved, which allows the film’s message to be easily accessible and honest.
Dirty Towel uses vibrant scenery to allow Charlie and the other characters to pop. The visuals throughout the course of Dirty Towel are crisp, and they often work to frame Parks. This allows Charlie to remain the center of attention throughout, to remain the most important piece of the film. As she stands out, the message present in the film becomes more and more clear–and Parks and Carpinteri’s intention seeps into each and every corner of the film as a result.
Dirty Towel wastes no time introducing viewers to the topic that it will ultimately tackle. Without any prior knowledge of what the film was about, I really didn’t know what to expect with it being titled Dirty Towel. That name doesn’t give much away, but the metaphor is brought to viewers attention within seconds. From here Carpinteri and Parks drive home a story that mirrors a trying real world, one that tests us from a very young age. With one particular topic in mind, Dirty Towel is effective in its attempt to enlighten and educate. With crisp visuals and an effective tonal balance, Dirty Towel is enjoyable from start to finish.
Directed by Callie Carpinteri.
Written by Callie Carpinteri & Emma Parks.
Starring Emma Parks, Laura Coover, Ben Krieger, Laurel Nail, etc.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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