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

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich
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Popularity
2,789 ( 156)
Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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

Rusty Dennis (Cher) is the mother of Rocky (Eric Stoltz), 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. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

They told 16-year-old Rocky Dennis he could never be like everyone else. So he was determined to be better. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

15 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Rusty had two sons. The older son, Joshua Mason, passed away in 1987 at the age of thirty-two, due to complications from A.I.D.S., which he received through a blood transfusion. See more »

Goofs

When they all go to the carnival, Rusty is wearing a black mini skirt. In the Director's Cut version, the next scene after Rocky and Rusty looking at his reflection in the fun-house mirror is the campfire where Rocky and Rusty perform Little Egypt. Here, Rusty is wearing black jeans. The next scene, after the fist fight breaks out at the campfire, is Rusty and Gar kissing on her front step, which appears after the funhouse mirror scene in the original and Rusty is wearing the black mini skirt again. See more »

Quotes

Rusty Dennis: [her final line, after finding that Rocky has passed away in his sleep] ... Now you can go anywhere you want, baby.
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Alternate Versions

The Director's Cut print runs around 7 minutes longer and includes a scene where Rocky & Rusty sing around a bonfire, and the funeral of cyclist Red (his motorbike is buried beside him). It also replaces the Bob Seger songs with those of Bruce Springsteen. See more »


Soundtracks

Not Me
Written by Frank Guida / Gary U.S. Bonds(as G. Anderson)
Performed by Gary U.S. Bonds
See more »

User Reviews

One of the finest films ever made
24 April 2002 | by Ed in MOSee all my reviews

"Mask" is truly a beautiful movie. It shows the possibilities of what courage and love can do. I cannot see the film without crying, but I always feel uplifted after watching it, and the cathartic experience of watching it stays with me for days afterwards. I love how Rocky finds someone at the school for the blind who cannot see his face but loves him for his heart. I suppose we are all looking for that. And the power of his mother's love is something that stays with you forever. Peter Bogdanovich, Cher, Eric Stoltz, and the others who participated in making this film should be very proud of the wonderful movie they created. It has affected many, many lives. The real life story of Rocky Dennis will always be there, on DVD, to enrich young generations to come.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1985 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Máscara See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$135,499, 10 March 1985

Gross USA:

$48,230,162

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$48,230,162
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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