Viewed – 06 December 2008  DVD

When it comes to bold concepts in movies…this has to be right up there.  I mean, this is about a virginal high school student, protesting against sex before marriage and attending seminars about keeping yourself ‘pure’ etc…yadda yadda yadda.  Yet this sweet girl has a secret – and it’s one helluva secret – she has Vagina Dentata, which translates to us everyday folk as ‘teeth in her vagina’ !!  Lions & Tigers & Bears – oh my!

Now this could have been just a cheap exploitation film, but in actual fact is all done with intelligence and plenty of empathy for the main character’s terrible dilemma.  The teeth biting / penis lopping scenes are of course thrown in for shock value, and as a guy myself, I can report that they are very effective and wince-inducing, while at the same time rather funny.  Not many films would have the balls (ahem) to pull this off, often in very graphic detail (ouch!).  Yet also as a guy I feel the film is a touch sexist (strange, when it’s made by a fella) and treats the male species unfavourably – almost entirely painting us as perverts or one dimensional sex fiends.  Tutt tutt.

Still, if you want something more than a little different, and can handle the subject matter – then this is good stuff, with an exceptional performance from Kate Winslet look-a-like Jess Weixler.   Just if you are a guy, perhaps cross your legs before watching.

Verdict:  4 /5