Mask

1985 "They told 16 year old Rocky Dennis he could never be like everyone else. So he was determined to be better."
7.2| 2h6m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 08 March 1985 Released
Producted By: Universal Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Info

A boy with a massive facial skull deformity and his biker gang mother attempt to live as normal a life as possible under the circumstances.

Genre

Drama

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Director

Peter Bogdanovich

Production Companies

Universal Pictures

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Mask Audience Reviews

ada the leading man is my tpye
GazerRise Fantastic!
Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Allissa .Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
Morten_5 Warm, heartfelt and deeply moving, Peter Bogdanovich's "Mask" features some impressive performances by Cher and Eric Stoltz. Beautiful.Giving life and soul to their characters and delivering great chemistry, Cher and Stoltz are able to make this a believable and engaging drama, much helped by a well-written screenplay by Anna Hamilton Phelan. The timing of director Bogdanovich adds another layer, as does the cinematography by legendary László Kovács and the music (score by Dennis Ricotta and soundtrack songs by for example Bob Seger).
oOoBarracuda If you need a dose of "take no crap from anyone", then Mask is the film for you! Cher is splendid alongside Eric Stoltz in the story of a boy with a serious facial deformity navigating his way through life, in spite of his appearance, with the constant albeit unusual support of his single mother. Leave your expected notions of a campy 80's movie at the screen; despite the film's 1985 release date, Mask is a beautiful story of self-love and acceptance with director Peter Bogdanovich able to avoid all classically cheesy 80's film clichés. The film's tough talking, pull no punches mother Florence 'Rusty' Dennis (Cher) has a son that she is, from a distance, extremely overprotective of. Roy L.'Rocky' Dennis (Eric Stoltz) was born with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, a sclerotic bone disorder leaving his face badly disfigured. Rocky was able to overcome his disability with a positive disposition and by using his intelligence to his advantage. Using his good sense of humor and positive outlook on life along with his mother's motorcycle companions protecting him, Rocky made friends and was a standout at school for his academic pursuits. Rusty is determined to meet every naysayer with the proof that her son can do anything any other child can do if given the chance; and she will ensure that he is given the chance. Based on a true story of overcoming prejudice and accepting the self, Mask is a beautiful film that would benefit all to see.I had never before seen a film starring Cher, I didn't even know she had acting credits, so watching her in Mask was an interesting surprise. She mastered her role with such grace. She perfectly executed her characterization of the gruff protective mother in such a believable and endearing way that you couldn't even be mad at her for doing drugs or hiring a hooker for her son. Rusty was the only ally Rocky had that had been there with him from the beginning, making Mask a perfect edition to mother month. The Grandfather of the film reminded me of Jack Nance, and I so wish it was him. Being a big fan of David Lynch I wish he was in more things; although I was pleased to see that Laura Dern had a role. This was a good film to see at this point in my life. Still reeling from my recent breakup, I can see the clear distinction in the change of character from before Rocky became interested in love to after he had been afflicted by love. Maybe the purpose of the movie is that a mother's love is the only love you need; somehow, I doubt that's the message but that's what I'll stick to while I continue to nurse this broken heart.
TheBlueHairedLawyer Rocky is your average teenager; he loves baseball cards, dreams of traveling and has a loving mother. His mother's name is Rusty and she's a member of a biker gang. She's a no-nonsense, tough-as-nails woman but the exact opposite when it comes to Rocky; he's everything to her and she wants him to have every advantage to enjoy life even if other people just don't care. And one more thing... Rocky's life is supposedly on the line because he's severely deformed, with a facial skull deformity... so maybe he's not exactly your average teenager but he's no less of a person. He's extremely intelligent and kind towards everyone, and he loves his biker gang friends. After being enrolled in high school, this movie shows his complicated and dysfunctional yet adventurous and fun life, until something tragic happens that makes all people who were helped or affected by Rocky realize just how special he was.Mask is what movies today should be. When I walk past the movie theater and see titles like The Hunger Games (ugh, The Hunger Games is cr*p), I think back to powerful movies like Mask and wonder where they went. These days movies are all about cheaply making some fast cash, not telling an amazing story. Mask had actors like Cher (Cher is a singer also known for her roles in movies like Silkwood and Mermaids). Eric Stoltz did an outstanding job, one of the best acting jobs I've seen in some time (although my favorite actor is William B. Davis from The X-Files). It can't be denied that the plot of Mask is imaginative, with an original plot that movie producers today would probably just overlook. The soundtrack was great; it's not that annoying pop or dubstep music and it fits the movie's story.Anyway, please don't pass this movie up for some other garbage like The Hunger Games or Frozen, because Mask is a movie with a message that everybody needs in life: don't judge a person based on outside appearances, have a look inside their life first and then reevaluate your own life, see how much you take for granted every day. This is a movie everyone should see at some point and I'd stick by it over the crud coming out in theaters now any day.
vincentripol Although I'll probably consider "The Last Picture Show" as Peter Bogdanovich's greatest film, "Mask" is such a close runner-up, it's almost a tie - along with "Paper Moon". What's more surprising is the gap between those two early Bogdanovich classics and the mid-80's "Mask", making it a sort of comeback for the inconsistent director.It's a true story, and although it's been Hollywood-ized, it still rings true. The relationship between Cher and Eric Stoltz as mother and son is what anchors the film, and it's one of the most unconventional family dynamics ever portrayed, even in the era of the alternative single mother raising a unique child. Cher and Winona Ryder would come close to matching that chemistry in "Mermaids", but perhaps because "Mask" involves an only child, the bond is stronger and more focused than what Cher later achieved with Ryder and Christina Ricci.The supporting cast also is excellent, and includes "Golden Girl" Estelle Getty as Cher's mother, as well as Laura Dern as a blind teenager. Such great work all around helps the typical dramatic elements feel more natural, and highlights the real-life accomplishments of Rocky Dennis in an entertaining and inspiring manner, no matter how many times you see the film and know its outcome. Among many great scenes that were successfully incorporated for dramatic effect, the amusement park fun-house mirror is one of my favorites. I can't say enough positive things about this wonderful movie.