Review: Babyteeth

Love often has weird timing. Sometimes it comes in when you least expect it. And when it happens, it comes in fast like a train. Fittingly in Babyteeth, love is found at the train station in an awkwardly adorable way.

On the tracks, Moses (Toby Wallace) lends a helping hand to a seriously ill Milla (Eliza Scanlen). The two spend the day together, and sparks fly. Unfortunately for Milla’s parents, Moses is not the ideal love interest for their daughter. He is much older, chaotic, and a drug dealer. This situation leaves her parents dealing with a few choices: Stopping this relationship or letting their daughter be a teenager for as long as she has left.

If you intended to watch a quirky and fun film about falling in love at the wrong time, Babyteeth might not be for you. The film may look like a coming of age dramedy from the outside, but once you dig in, it is a dark teenage melodrama.

This story is ambitious. So ambitious that at times it feels like Babyteeth maybe bit off a little more than it could chew.

The film itself is beautifully shot but stumbles through the storytelling. While it’s split into chapters of Milla’s life, it lacks structure. And at times, I felt lost like they skipped past something important. The set up takes longer than expected, and the first thirty minutes are painfully uncomfortable, leading to a few shaky moments. There is also a push and pull trying to figure out the tone of the film. The few times it does try to be quirky, it comes off as awkward. But it is the out of place fourth wall breaking moments that will have you scratching your head.

Babyteeth pulls through in the second act. It feels like it finally finds its footing after a few fumbles. The character arcs finally start to take shape, and you start becoming more and more invested in the story.

The real power of this movie is the climax and the outstanding cast. Those two things alone will leave you feeling satisfied.

Eliza Scanlen shines as the leader of this small ensemble. And I won’t lie, it does hurt to watch Scanlen play another sick teenager, but she’s outstanding. Her performance is raw and beautiful. And her father, played by Ben Mendelsohn, will successfully break your heart as he watches his daughter deal with sickness. The two share a heartbreakingly gorgeous moment at the end of the film that will bring you to tears. 

In conclusion, Babyteeth may move incredibly slow, but it pays off in the end. It is a charming story told through stellar performances. If you can push through the pace, you’ll be met with the most devastatingly beautiful ending.