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Mask (1985)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 27
Fresh: 25 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 42,414

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Movie Info

This is the true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a personable young man suffering from "lionitis," a fatal disease which causes hideous facial disfigurement. The son of freewheeling biker Rusty Dennis (Cher), Rocky is accepted without question by his mom's boyfriends and cycle buddies, but treated with pity, condescension, and disgust by much of the outside world. The local high school principal tries to get Rocky classified as brain-damaged so he won't have to enroll the boy in his school,

PG-13, 2 hr.

Drama, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Directed By: Peter Bogdanovich

Written By: Anna Hamilton Phelan

In Theaters: Mar 8, 1985 Wide

On DVD: Oct 10, 2000

MCA Universal Home Video

Mask Trailer & Photos

Cast

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
Todd Allen
Canuck
Nick Cassavetes
T.J.
Lou Felder
Mr. Adams
Wayne Grace
Drug Dealer
Dr. Norman Kaplan
Himself
L. Craig King
Eric
Kelly Jo Minter
Lorrie
Rummel Mor
Track Runner
Ben Piazza
Mr. Simms
Alexandra Powers
Lisa
Ivan Jorge Rado
Dr. Rudinsky
Andrew Robinson
Dr. Vinton
Chris Rydell
Senior High STudent
Jo-El Sonnier
Sunshine
L. Charles Taylor
Boy Friend
Barry Tubb
Deuey
Joe Unger
Boy Friend
Marsha Warfield
Home Room Teacher
Jill Whitlow
Annie Marie
Jeff Jensen
Biker
David Scott Milton
History Teacher
Anna Hamilton Phelan
Puppy Lady
Jack Wright
Biker
Mike Adams
Biker
Cathy Arden
Hospital Doctor
Jeannie Dimter Barton
Junior High Secretary
Creed Bratton
Carnival Ticket Taker
Les Dudek
Bone
Marilyn Hamilton
Mr. Kaplan's Aide
Howard Hirdler
Stickman
Paige Matthews
Stickman's Girl
Beth McKinley
Senior High Student
Eddie Paul
Biker
Patricia Pelham
Canuck's Girl
Gale Ricketts
Sunshine's Girl
Stan Ross
Drunken Biker
Allison Roth
Nancy Lawrence
Toni Sawyer
Mrs. Adams
Rebecca Sharkey
Angel
Anna Thea
Woman Counselor
Louis Waldon
Camp Cook
Scott Willardsen
Jr. High Student
Steve James
Hospital Intern

Critic Reviews for Mask

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (2) | DVD (11)

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.

July 18, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

A wonderful movie, a story of high spirits and hope and courage.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

One of those movies that try so hard to get their supposedly universal message across that they are likely to put your teeth on edge more often than they bring one little, lonely teardrop to the eye.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment (1)

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

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

April 16, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Complex, moving story most appropriate for teens.

December 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

unforgettable.

October 25, 2007 Comment

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

A good movie that could have been a great one with a little more restraint.

July 18, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Bogdanovich invests the story with warmth, generosity and considerable power.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Derek Adams

Time Out

Three great performances (and some great make-up) anchor this tale of facial deformity.

April 3, 2005 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

A modest film by most stretches, but exquisite acting by Cher, Stoltz, and Laura Dern make it truly special.

August 29, 2004 Comment

Nick Davis

Nick's Flick Picks

An uplifting portrait of one disabled person and his beautiful spirit.

August 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Mask

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A movie with a lot a heart. But sadly nobody wants to watch such a sad story ever again.

May 9, 2011

Brad Wright

Super Reviewer

Unlike the tale of the handsome prince who exists inside a toad, ''Mask'' is a movie whose ugly exterior hides not a beautiful soul but a sentimental one...

January 9, 2009

♥Robyn M♥

Super Reviewer

Mask Quotes

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