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Teeth

Teeth (2000)

Oct 13, 2000 1h 36m Drama Thriller

Antonio is a man born with unusually large incisors; his freakishly huge teeth made him an outcast as a child and as man he has become obsessive and controlling in his relationships with women. Convinced that his girlfriend cheated on him (with her dentist, ça va sans dire), Antonio insults her in a fit of anger and in the fight she breaks off one of his teeth. Antonio now must travel across the country, going from dentist to dentist in search of someone who can make a crown that will suit his extra-large smile.

Directed by Gabriele Salvatores

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Gabriele Salvatores
Producer
  • Vittorio Cecchi Gori
  • Maurizio Totti

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Teeth examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Gabriele Salvatores brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2000, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Teeth took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 125 minutes long.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
  • The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 2000, when this film is released:
  • The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
  • Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
  • Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.

How This Film Stands Out

While Teeth shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike From Hell, which focuses more on action than character development, Teeth subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Se7en and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan explore similar territory, Teeth stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: October 13, 2000
  • Runtime: 1h 36m