Mask

PG-13

Released Mar 8, 1985

2 hr. 0 min.

Biography

Drama

List

93%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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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

Audience Member

I think this is an awesome movie. I 'm trying to watch this movie its not easy to find. I found it on amazon but it's just a watch trailer option. I'm 46yrs old..this movie came out in the 1980's & now it looks like they removed because it's very sad & freaky, young people don't want to see a movie like that..but they should..maybe the kids today wouldn't be so cold harded. Nowadays kids ..& young adults are like "there's no excuse to look that way, there's plastic surgery" ...."I don't have money that's too expensive for me..then you shouldn't exist..you should die!...because ugly people inside & out shouldn't have the right to live" I'm not saying this because I'm ugly..I'm beautiful inside & out..these kids nowadays are terrible & parents aswell. So superficial. Maybe if they'd see more movies like this one they'd be more warm hearted & caring.. When I watched this movie I was 10-15yrs of age & it impacted me in a way. See how this young man withstood all the negative comments he received & still be confident; the mother contributed to a-lot of that. Nowadays we even see mothers killing their disabled children. It's a terrific movie you really need to read into not just see the outer movie. Two thumbs up for the movie, Cher & Eric Stoltz...👍🏼👍🏼

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Touching performances, director's cut which is now available on DVD/BluRay is recommended for the restored deleted scenes as well as the Bruce Springsteen thematic music

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

dave s

Peter Bogdanovich's Mask tells the moving story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a teenage boy suffering from craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, a condition that results in facial disfiguration, and his struggle to be accepted by those outside his immediate social and family circles. Stoltz, Cher (as Rocky's mother Rusty), and Sam Elliott (as Rusty's boyfriend) are all fantastic in the lead roles, but the film is hindered by a seemingly endless number of secondary characters, whose presence seem to clutter the story with needless side issues, causing the plot to stall at times. Despite this, the film is rewarding with its message of acceptance and will no doubt draw some tears by the time things wrap up.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

William L

Unlike a more conventional feel-good adaptation, Mask doesn't treat any of its protagonists as angelic figures held back by problems with society, but as more realistic, flawed individuals who must contend with their circumstances regardless. Stoltz's Rocky contends with hormones and conventional growing pains, while Cher's Rusty is far from the most fit mother figure for her son (but, as the film goes on to show, that does not stop her from caring for his well-being). If anything, the film seems to lack a general antagonism - the moments in which Rocky is actively misjudged with maliciousness are surprisingly few, and he can often overcome ihis circumstances with relative ease; a more oppressive atmosphere would have likely given his struggle more potency. Stoltz and particularly Cher give very solid performances, delivering a capability that might surprise those that only are familiar with the latter's musical output. (3.5/5)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/01/20

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Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Eric Stoltz

Roy L.`'Rocky'` Dennis

Cher

Florence `'Rusty'` Dennis

Sam Elliott

Gar

Estelle Getty

Evelyn

Richard Dysart

Abe

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Mask: Official Clip - Rocky & Diana

2:37

Mask: Official Clip - A Hooker for Rocky

2:20

Mask: Official Clip - First Day of School

2:55

Mask: Official Clip - School Registration

2:18

Mask: Official Clip - Rusty Remembers Rocky

1:43

Mask: Official Clip - The Story of Troy

2:14

Mask: Official Clip - Meeting Diana's Parents

2:07

Mask: Official Clip - Prostitute Fallout

1:59

Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Test Results

1:28

Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Lionitis

2:20

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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

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

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

unforgettable.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 25, 2007

Full Review

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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