Excision

Excision

Starring Annalynne McCord, Traci Lords, Ariel Winter, Roger Bart

Directed by Richard Bates Jr.

Pauline is a very troubled young girl, who possesses antisocial behavior as well as sociopathic  tendencies.  Her overbearing mother tries to give her a normal life, but she has dreams of bloody violence and disturbing images, as she wishes to eventually become a surgeon.  With an absence of morals, Pauline slowly spirals down a dark road that'll lead to nothing but destruction, as she attempts to bring her vivid nightmares to life.

"Excision" is a typical coming-of-age movie if it were told through the eyes of Stephen King or David Cronenberg, a film that blends unnerving horror and dark comedy perfectly, but it's the harrowing visions and visuals that stick with you after it ends.  AnnaLynne McCord sheds her model good looks to play Pauline, a girl with terrible acne and bad hair, who's despised by everyone in her school and even her mother, as she's blunt and frank, and doesn't hold anything back.  She wants to be a surgeon, and has incredibly uncomfortable dreams about achieving that goal, as well as her budding sexuality that mix in bloody ways.  She envelops the role in such a way that you can't help but look away.

Equally, her mother - played by former porn star Traci Lords - also forces you to stare at the screen no matter how uncomfortable it gets.  She's got some major issues of her own that she hides underneath a slowly breaking facade of wanting to be the perfect parent, but reaching the end of her rope.  Lords gives some great facial expressions that show a deep inner struggle that she doesn't explain, which is a stark contrast to McCord's character, who easily opens up to her innermost demons. 

The film is filled with amazing actors, including "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter as Pauline's younger sister who suffers from cystic fibrosis; Roger Bart as Pauline's subdued father; Jeremy Sumpter as the boy Pauline wants to loose her virginity to; Malcolm McDowell and Matthew Gray Gubler as her teachers; Ray Wise as her principal; John Waters as her priest; and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin as a school secretary.  Everyone delivers solid performances, but this is McCord and Lord's picture, and they truly own every scene they're in.

I find it difficult to fully describe this film, because it's an absolute art-house piece that serves as a slow burn to its inevitable bloody conclusion.  For those of you who want instant gratification (or a weak stomach), you'd be wise to shy away from a film like this.  Yet if you're one of those art-house fans who enjoy an incredibly slow burn filled with disturbing images and harrowing performances, then "Excision" is perfect for you.

It's time for the pros and cons of the movie, starting with the pros: incredible performances, disturbing images, an excellent slow-burn with a solid payoff, and a stunning blend of coming-of-age with horror.  The cons are that if you're looking for a quick payoff or can't stand certain unsettling images, then this isn't the film for you.

Overall, I would give "Excision" an A.