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Mask

Play trailer Poster for Mask PG-13 Released Mar 8, 1985 2h 0m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz) is an intelligent, outgoing and humorous teenager who suffers from a facial deformity called "lionitis" and has now outlived his life expectancy. While his mother, Rusty (Cher), struggles to fight for his acceptance in the public school system, he proves himself to be a highly accomplished student. Though Rocky endures ridicule for his appearance, he finds love and respect from his mother's biker gang family, and even experiences his first love.

Critics Reviews

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Dolores Barclay Associated Press Directed with great sensitivity by Peter Bogdanovich, Cher portrays Rusty with an almost sweet vulnerability. Oct 22, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Complex, moving story most appropriate for teens. Rated: 4/5 Dec 26, 2010 Full Review 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. Jul 18, 2007 Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street With this rather hazy material, Cher works wonders. Around the vagueness of the story, she weaves her own personal mystery. May 6, 2024 Full Review Jas Keimig The Stranger (Seattle, WA) There was so much I loved about Mask. Eric Stoltz's excellent performance as the real-life Rocky Dennis, a funny and kind sixteen-year-old with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia... Jan 5, 2022 Full Review 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 Rated: B+ Apr 16, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Based on a true story in 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Cher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/04/25 Full Review Audience Member The mask is usually the face we see or not used to seeing Directed by the late Peter Bogdonovich and based on the true story of Rocky Dennis in 1978 California who suffered a facial deformity called “lionitis” A calcium deposit abnormality since childbirth caused Rocky to appear abnormal and it’s affecting his cranium along with his spinal chord His life expectancy is expected to not exceed already what he’s lived Meanwhile his mom Rusty struggles to get him into the public school system being part of a biker gang Rocky also falls for a girl named Diana at a summer camp and one of the few people who see him for his humor, humanity, and intelligence Eric Stolz does a solid job as this young man looking to belong and Cher is spectacular as his mother It actually stinks that Laura Dern doesn’t show up until after an hour and 21 min which makes the flow of the film feel a bit off 2 hours is lengthy but the film shows this young man’s vulnerability and spirit able to uplift many Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Garrett B Way too much foul language, but it has solid performances and emotional moments Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Michelle R Entretenida, la actuación de Cher deja muuucho qué desear Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Heather L I was a 10 year old girl who had no idea what this movie was about.. I did know that the mom and son loved each other and I remember thinking I wish I had a son one day and we were cool like they were. It was sad and I never wanted to ever loose anybody I loved. This is still a great movie to this very day! Oh! And i do have a great son that is my very best friend 💙 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/17/23 Full Review Audience Member I watched it when I was a teenager it changed my perspectives in life, the optimistic in every situation and love messages of a mother and family is so profound. And wonderful acting of Cher and casts. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mask

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Mask

Mask: Official Clip - Rocky & Diana Mask: Official Clip - Rocky & Diana 2:37 Mask: Official Clip - A Hooker for Rocky Mask: Official Clip - A Hooker for Rocky 2:20 Mask: Official Clip - First Day of School Mask: Official Clip - First Day of School 2:55 Mask: Official Clip - School Registration Mask: Official Clip - School Registration 2:18 Mask: Official Clip - Rusty Remembers Rocky Mask: Official Clip - Rusty Remembers Rocky 1:43 Mask: Official Clip - The Story of Troy Mask: Official Clip - The Story of Troy 2:14 Mask: Official Clip - Meeting Diana's Parents Mask: Official Clip - Meeting Diana's Parents 2:07 Mask: Official Clip - Prostitute Fallout Mask: Official Clip - Prostitute Fallout 1:59 Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Test Results Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Test Results 1:28 Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Lionitis Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Lionitis 2:20 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz) is an intelligent, outgoing and humorous teenager who suffers from a facial deformity called "lionitis" and has now outlived his life expectancy. While his mother, Rusty (Cher), struggles to fight for his acceptance in the public school system, he proves himself to be a highly accomplished student. Though Rocky endures ridicule for his appearance, he finds love and respect from his mother's biker gang family, and even experiences his first love.
Director
Peter Bogdanovich
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 8, 1985, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 22, 1997
Runtime
2h 0m