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@e.r.f.g_films
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Babyteeth is honestly one of my favourite films from 2019, if not my favourite. I cannot stress enough how gorgeous this movie is in every way. In the words of Essie Davis (who plays Anna) “it’s such a beautiful, funny, awkward, strange story”.
The story follows 16 year old Milla (Eliza Scanlen) who is suffering from terminal cancer. We are then introduced to Moses (Toby Wallace), a semi-homeless drug addict. The two form an unlikely pair. Milla, perhaps being a little more rebellious than the average 16 year old, falls for Moses (7 years her senior). Moses, at first seeing an opportunity to get his hands on the drugs Milla possesses for medication. We are also joined by Milla’s parents, who struggle with the concept of having a 23 year old drug addict around their daughter. However because of their circumstance are allowing it albeit reluctantly, “This is the worst possible parenting I can imagine”(Anna).
The script is fantastic, perfectly executed by the cast. The humour is spot on, it is subtle and dry. It lifts you up from the harder scenes of the movie. The characters are unique, they are whacky. Toby Wallace is phenomenal, just captivating in this role. Moses is a loveable gentle character, underneath the despiration of his addiction. Therefore he does questionable things, but the film does well not to villainise him. We see him struggle and make bad decisions, and we are allowed to be frustated on behalf of the other characters. But he is such a interesting character to watch. His redemption is good at shedding light on drug addition. Eliza Scanlen is an actress we will need to keep our eye out for. Already starring along side Amy Adams in “Sharp Objects” (2018), not to mention playing Beth in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” (2019). Milla is brought to life by Scanlen. She manages to balance the spectrum of emotion this character goes through so well. Such a wholesome cast, just perfect.
Despite the theme of this film it is bright and uplifting. The colour scheme is so pleasing to watch. A pastel “poolside” pallet, mixed in with bird song and bugs in the background of certain scenes, makes for a very calming aesthetic. A gorgeous sound track, it’s whacky, semi-relaxing and slow paced, it matches the vibe of the movie and matches the characters.
The choices the film maker has made for this movie really pay off. Take the family for example. They could have made Milla’s parents a serious grieving couple. They do grieve, don’t get me wrong, but they are also childish and funny. They make weird decisions and have funny backstories. It would have really transformed the movie I think, to have made Milla’s mum and dad a one-dimensional couple. Instead they add colour and life into the film with their unconventional parenting. You can see the love there and it makes it all the more heart-breaking.
This is just one of those films that ticks all the boxes and is still its own. Films are supposed to bring emotion, make you laugh, be visually pleasing. This is a vulnerable tale of a dying girl, a whacky love story, a tale on drug addiction, a rebelious coming of age. The film makers were not scared to step outside of the box, resulting a stunning film.
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