The Human Face

The human face has over 7,000 expressions, produced by over 40 facial muscles, but for grade schooler Lauren Deveney, who suffers from Mobius syndrome--a rare genetic disorder marked by full facial paralysis--there's only one…and it's not a smile. Written and hosted by Monty Python alum John Cleese, this 4-hour BBC production, co-starring actress/model Elizabeth Hurley, examines the face's preeminent role in communication, societal definitions of beauty, and the various problems that can occur when genetic disorders or brain damage alter one's face or the ability to recognize the face of another. In addition to chronicling Lauren's journey to a Canadian surgeon who is, indeed, able to put a smile on the little girl's face, The Human Face visits a Marital Research Institute, where the expressions on couples' faces are examined and analyzed during arguments; travels to India to see a "laughter club" in session; introduces viewers to Kismet, an artificial intelligence robot with facial expressions; talks with Lisa Fuerst, a Latino woman undergoing a "westernization rhinoplasty" (nose job); looks at the science behind a beautiful face (whose features uniformly have a ratio of 1:1.618); and follows three wannabe actors trying their luck with casting director Mali Finn. Out of this rambling discourse, a wonderful array of factoids emerge: runners with asymmetrical ears run slower, sheep--contrary to popular stigmatization--are individuals able to recognize one another's faces, and secret service agents are the only group--professional or otherwise--who score better than sheer chance on being able to tell whether or not a person is lying. Informative (Cleese originally wanted more humorous skits and less facts about the face; fortunately, for viewers, the BBC wanted less zany and more brainy), entertaining, often moving and always interesting, this is highly recommended. [Note: the DVD version includes a second disc with extended interview footage of Pierce Brosnan, Candice Bergen and others.] Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)