Mask

Starring: Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott, Estelle Getty, Richard Dysart, Laura Dern, Micole Mercurio, Harry Carey Jr., Dennis Burkley, Nick Cassavetes, Creed Bratton
Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
1985

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Follows the true story of Rocky Dennis, a boy born with an extremely rare cranial deformity.

Review:

Tim: It's funny, I always struggle to watch movies like this. When I think about human deformities, there's something that causes me to pause before diving into a film where that features heavily. However, as soon as I do, I more often than not appreciate the experience (Freaks and Wonder come to mind). The same can be said for Mask- I avoided the film for years, always finding something else to watch, verses a story about a boy with enormous cranial deformities. I think I always think it'll be too hard emotionally, to watch someone struggle through life. The truth is, most of these movies are more uplifting and that's exactly how I felt about Mask. This is a well-made movie that touches on the human spirit and it leaves you feeling many things- but mostly, inspired.

This film was based on a true person, but the film took quite a few liberties with the story. It's really more "inspired" than "based on". The one that really jumped out to me was that the real Rocky Dennis was legally blind- something that the film completely abandons. I read his eyesight was so bad, he couldn't even read books. The Rocky we get on screen is totally different. That bummed me out a little. Still, the overall story is a powerful one and well-deserving of our attention. The way Rocky is presented is beautiful- a young man who tackles life with energy and enthusiasm, despite unfair circumstances that put his life on a path few ever have to walk. Stories about humans overcoming odds and facing adversity are important for us to watch, and I loved being able to see Rocky's story on screen.

The film is helped immensely by the cast. I've never been a big fan of Cher as an actress. I just don't think she is great. She's good here, I completely admit that. I never quite loved her performance- it never felt authentic, natural to me. It always feels like she's acting. Eric Stoltz was excellent, however, I can't imagine the experience of putting on that makeup to transform into this character. Even underneath all that, Stoltz manages to tug at our heartstrings, to make you care about Rocky, and then to love him. Stoltz's performance is the one the entire film revolves around and he hits an absolute home run with it. The range of emotion he shows, the vulnerability of the character, it's a tremendous performance. Sam Elliott adds a fantastic supporting performance as well. Elliott perfectly balances the cool, tough outer exterior with an inner heart and real human warmth. It's one of his greatest strengths as an actor and this film gave him the perfect opportunity to showcase that. Elliott makes an outsized contribution to this film and it's a big reason why I liked it so much. Laura Dern is fantastic, too. It was fun to see an earlier career performance of hers. It's a smaller supporting role, but she plays a blind girl convincingly well. She manages to make you interested and invested in her character, despite limited screen time. I really enjoyed Harry Carey Jr.'s supporting performance, and Dennis Burkley was shockingly good in a small role that could have felt like a throwaway. I truly cared about and liked his character a great deal. The whole movie works because of this misfit family that subverts many of society's expectations. These characters all feel lived in, unique, and interesting. You love seeing their interactions and the way they rally around Rocky Dennis. Director Peter Bogdanovich pulls you into this world, allows you to see these characters swirling all around Dennis- you almost feel like you were adopted into this makeshift family. It makes for a wonderful viewing experience.

Outside of the characters, this 2-hour film delivers mostly what you would expect. Rocky faces great societal adversity, struggling to find his place in the world and experience as much of life as he can, given the dour pronouncements doctors make about his life expectancy. There's a lot of emotion- much of it beautiful, a lot of it difficult. The story itself isn't very surprising- it follows the expected path. That's okay, because the characters are all so well developed, and we genuinely care about Rocky. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, but the story being predictable and some of the creative liberties taken knocked this film just down from greatness.

One great aspect of this film, though, is the Makeup transforming Eric Stoltz into Rocky. It's truly a stunning achievement. It's one of the most impressive aspects of this film, and the movie deservedly won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. It's the only award it was nominated for, but it absolutely deserved to win. I was glad that it did, because the look of Rocky is truly unforgettable.

Mask is such a thoroughly entertaining, inspiring film. I was wrong to put off viewing it for so long. It's not an emotionally easy movie to watch, but I found it far easier than I expected. The film certainly touched my heart and tells a beautiful and difficult story about a unique individual. I'm so happy this movie was made, so Rocky's story and memory live on.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Freaks, Wonder, The Last Picture Show, Moonstruck