Mask (1985)

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

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writer:

Anna Hamilton Phelan

Stars:

Cher, Sam Elliott, Eric Stoltz

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cher	...	Florence 'Rusty' Dennis
Sam Elliott	...	Gar
Eric Stoltz	...	Roy L.'Rocky' Dennis
Estelle Getty	...	Evelyn
Richard Dysart	...	Abe
Laura Dern	...	Diana Adams
Micole Mercurio	...	Babe
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Red
Dennis Burkley	...	Dozer
Lawrence Monoson	...	Ben
Ben Piazza	...	Mr. Simms
L. Craig King	...	Eric
Alexandra Powers	...	Lisa
Kelly Jo Minter	...	Lorrie (as Kelly Minter)
Joe Unger	...	1st Boyfriend

Storyline

Rusty Dennis is the mother of Rocky, a seriously deformed but extremely intelligent and emotionally warm teenager. Rusty is a no-nonsense mother whose wild lifestyle is often at odds with her tenderness and protectiveness towards Rocky. She is determined that Rocky be given the same chances and happiness that everyone else takes for granted.

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Plot Keywords:

biker gang | biker | deformity | california | dignity | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the most unlikely people become heroes.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Peter Bogdanovich's Mask

Filming Locations:

Azusa, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$42,400,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 127 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rob Lowe was nearly cast as Rocky Dennis. He declined due to scheduling conflicts with an unannounced film that was eventually canceled.

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Goofs

When Rocky looks in the carnival mirror it alters his deformed face to appear almost normal. They send for his mother (Cher) to look at him. The same mirror that altered Rocky's face to appear normal should have deformed his mother's face. But when you see them looking in the mirror, Cher's face is looking perfect. Also, Rocky's nose casts a shadow in the mirror; on his actual face, the bridge of his nose casts no shadow.

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Quotes

Rusty Dennis: First you told me he was gonna be retarded, then you told me he was gonna be blind AND deaf. If I'd dug his grave every time one of you geniuses told me he was gonna die, I'd be eating fuckin' chop suey in China by now!

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Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Total Recall (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Slippin' 'n' Slidin'"
Written by Eddie Bo(as J. Bocage) / Albert Collins / Little Richard(as Richard Penniman)
Performed by Little Richard

User Reviews

Cher in a wonderful performance

Eric Stoltz plays Rocky Dennis, a teen afflicted with a horribly disfiguring disease. He lives with his mom, Rusty (Cher), a sometime junkie who pals around with a gang of bikers.

Between coping with his mom's antics, dealing with the prejudice he encounters and the debilitating migraines he suffers from, Rocky still manages to win over his teachers and classmates, becoming an inspiration to them.

While the story initially seems to be about Rocky, it's also about Rusty. She wants everyone to see her as the tough biker chick who can handle anyone and anything that comes her way, including Rocky's disease and the strangers who stare. This is her mask. She's really scared to death for Rocky and turns to the alcohol and drugs to help her cope.

A great film based on a true story, Mask will convince you that sometimes the most unlikely people become heroes.