Mask: Director's Cut
3.5/4
Starring: Eric Stolz, Cher, Sam Elliott, Lawrence Monson, Dennis Burkley, Laura Dern
Not Rated (for the record the theatrical cut is rated R, albeit undeservedly, probably for Language, Drug Use and Sexual Content)
"Mask," not to be confused with the Jim Carrey vehicle, "The Mask," is one of those rare movies that you wish would never end. It's so well-acted, the characters are so likable and so interesting that I wish it would go on and on and on.
"Mask" is loosely based on the life story of Rocky Dennis, who had craniodiaphyseal dysplasia. In English, it's an extremely rare bone disorder that causes calcium to build up in the skull. He lives in Azusa, California with his mother Rusty (Cher). Rusty is a tough-talking, no-nonsense sort of woman who is in a biker gang and abuses just about every drug she can find. But she loves her son deeply.
Director Peter Bogdanovich concentrates less on what happens to Rocky and Rusty and more on who they are and how they relate to each other. Both, in their own way, rely on each other for strength and support. Rocky's disfigurement gets him strange looks and insults, but she and her motorbiking buddies give him the courage to deflect it with intelligence and humor. He knows that he looks strange, but he's not too insecure to poke fun at himself. On the flip side, Rusty's drug use and unending string of boyfriends puts a strain on their relationship. She's unable to keep her life in order, and relies on him to do that.
The thing that makes this movie work is that everyone is so damn nice. There are a few jerks, but they don't stick around for more than a moment or two. That makes this film unique because there are no obvious villains. Nor should there be; the character interaction between Rocky, Rusty and the others are strong enough that one isn't needed.
Of course, the film wouldn't be what it is without two very strong performances from its leads. Eric Stolz, famous for playing Keith Nelson in "Some Kind of Wonderful" and Lance the drug dealer in "Pulp Fiction," is terrific as Rocky. I'll admit that his appearance is a turn-off. But his warmth shines through so brightly that I was ready to follow him anywhere by the time his first scene was over. Cher is equally good as Rusty. She's not the ideal mother, but she does what she can. Cher plays her with a mixture of toughness and vulnerability that is impossibly endearing. Rusty's love for Rocky jumps out of the screen. Of the supporting cast, special mention has to go to Laura Dern, who plays Diana, a blind girl that Rocky falls for (and she for him). She's very good.
At no point does director Peter Bogdanovich expect us to feel sorry for Rocky. Rocky doesn't feel sorry for himself, so why should we? He's not making a "disease-of-the-week" movie that shows up on the Hallmark channel, and that's what makes this film so special. He focuses on Rocky's strength and how being with the right people, even if they are atypical, can get him through anything.
Starring: Eric Stolz, Cher, Sam Elliott, Lawrence Monson, Dennis Burkley, Laura Dern
Not Rated (for the record the theatrical cut is rated R, albeit undeservedly, probably for Language, Drug Use and Sexual Content)
"Mask," not to be confused with the Jim Carrey vehicle, "The Mask," is one of those rare movies that you wish would never end. It's so well-acted, the characters are so likable and so interesting that I wish it would go on and on and on.
"Mask" is loosely based on the life story of Rocky Dennis, who had craniodiaphyseal dysplasia. In English, it's an extremely rare bone disorder that causes calcium to build up in the skull. He lives in Azusa, California with his mother Rusty (Cher). Rusty is a tough-talking, no-nonsense sort of woman who is in a biker gang and abuses just about every drug she can find. But she loves her son deeply.
Director Peter Bogdanovich concentrates less on what happens to Rocky and Rusty and more on who they are and how they relate to each other. Both, in their own way, rely on each other for strength and support. Rocky's disfigurement gets him strange looks and insults, but she and her motorbiking buddies give him the courage to deflect it with intelligence and humor. He knows that he looks strange, but he's not too insecure to poke fun at himself. On the flip side, Rusty's drug use and unending string of boyfriends puts a strain on their relationship. She's unable to keep her life in order, and relies on him to do that.
The thing that makes this movie work is that everyone is so damn nice. There are a few jerks, but they don't stick around for more than a moment or two. That makes this film unique because there are no obvious villains. Nor should there be; the character interaction between Rocky, Rusty and the others are strong enough that one isn't needed.
Of course, the film wouldn't be what it is without two very strong performances from its leads. Eric Stolz, famous for playing Keith Nelson in "Some Kind of Wonderful" and Lance the drug dealer in "Pulp Fiction," is terrific as Rocky. I'll admit that his appearance is a turn-off. But his warmth shines through so brightly that I was ready to follow him anywhere by the time his first scene was over. Cher is equally good as Rusty. She's not the ideal mother, but she does what she can. Cher plays her with a mixture of toughness and vulnerability that is impossibly endearing. Rusty's love for Rocky jumps out of the screen. Of the supporting cast, special mention has to go to Laura Dern, who plays Diana, a blind girl that Rocky falls for (and she for him). She's very good.
At no point does director Peter Bogdanovich expect us to feel sorry for Rocky. Rocky doesn't feel sorry for himself, so why should we? He's not making a "disease-of-the-week" movie that shows up on the Hallmark channel, and that's what makes this film so special. He focuses on Rocky's strength and how being with the right people, even if they are atypical, can get him through anything.
Comments
Post a Comment