Mask (1985)
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93% of critics liked it
(27 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(43,268 ratings)
This is the true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a personable young man suffering from "lionitis," a fatal disease which causes hideous facial disfigurement. The son of freewheeling biker Rusty Dennis (Cher), Rocky is accepted without question by his mom's boyfriends and cycle… More This is the true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a personable young man suffering from "lionitis," a fatal disease which causes hideous facial disfigurement. The son of freewheeling biker Rusty Dennis (Cher), Rocky is accepted without question by his mom's boyfriends and cycle buddies, but treated with pity, condescension, and disgust by much of the outside world. The local high school principal tries to get Rocky classified as brain-damaged so he won't have to enroll the boy in his school, but Rusty fights for her son's rights with the ferocity of a mother lioness. Rocky makes friends easily both at school and at summer camp. He also falls in love with Diana (Laura Dern), a blind girl who cannot see his deformed countenance and is entranced by the boy's kindness and compassion. Now that he's got his own life in order, Rocky sets about to wean his chronically depressed mother from her drug habit. Mask is the sort of story that might have ending up wallowing in its own pathos had the acting, direction and scriptwriting (by Anna Hamilton Phelan) been anything less than very good. The film proved a much-needed financial success for director Peter Bogdanovich, though unfortunately it didn't come soon enough to stave off his declaring personal bankruptcy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter Bogdanovich
- Written By
- Anna Hamilton Phelan
- Genres
- Drama, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 8, 1985 Wide
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The film's undeniable impact comes from Bogdanovich's willingness to go too far with practically every emotional moment, while maintaining a distant, classical visual style that gives the film a surface dignity and reserve.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Bogdanovich invests the story with warmth, generosity and considerable power.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
A wonderful movie, a story of high spirits and hope and courage.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
One of those movies that try so hard to get their supposedly universal message across that they are likely to put your teeth on edge more often than they bring one little, lonely teardrop to the eye.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Exremely well acted family melodrama about a disfigured boy that in the hands of another director could have been a schmaltzy TV Movie of the Week
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Cher
as Rusty Dennis
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Sam Elliott
as Gar
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Eric Stoltz
as Rocky Dennis
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Estelle Getty
as Evelyn
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Richard Dysart
as Abe
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Laura Dern
as Diana
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Micole Mercurio
as Babe
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Harry Carey Jr.
as Red
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Dennis Burkley
as Dozer
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Lawrence Monoson
as Ben
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Todd Allen
as Canuck
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Nick Cassavetes
as T.J.
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Lou Felder
as Mr. Adams
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Wayne Grace
as Drug Dealer
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Dr. Norman Kaplan
as Himself
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L. Craig King
as Eric
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Kelly Jo Minter
as Lorrie
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Rummel Mor
as Track Runner
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Ben Piazza
as Mr. Simms
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Alexandra Powers
as Lisa
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Ivan Jorge Rado
as Dr. Rudinsky
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Andrew Robinson
as Dr. Vinton
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Chris Rydell
as Senior High STudent
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Jo-El Sonnier
as Sunshine
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L. Charles Taylor
as Boy Friend
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Barry Tubb
as Deuey
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Joe Unger
as Boy Friend
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Marsha Warfield
as Home Room Teacher
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Jill Whitlow
as Annie Marie
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Jeff Jensen
as Biker
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David Scott Milton
as History Teacher
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Anna Hamilton Phelan
as Puppy Lady
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Jack Wright
as Biker
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Mike Adams
as Biker
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Cathy Arden
as Hospital Doctor
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Jeannie Dimter Barton
as Junior High Secretary
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Creed Bratton
as Carnival Ticket Taker
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Les Dudek
as Bone
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Marilyn Hamilton
as Mr. Kaplan's Aide
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Howard Hirdler
as Stickman
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Paige Matthews
as Stickman's Girl
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Beth McKinley
as Senior High Student
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Eddie Paul
as Biker
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Patricia Pelham
as Canuck's Girl
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Gale Ricketts
as Sunshine's Girl
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Stan Ross
as Drunken Biker
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Allison Roth
as Nancy Lawrence
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Toni Sawyer
as Mrs. Adams
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Rebecca Sharkey
as Angel
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Anna Thea
as Woman Counselor
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Louis Waldon
as Camp Cook
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Scott Willardsen
as Jr. High Student
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Steve James
as Hospital Intern
