Mask (PG-13)

Complex, moving story most appropriate for teens.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Peter Bogdanovich
  • Cast: Sam Elliott, Eric Stoltz, Cher
  • Release Date: 01/01/1985
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this drama has moments of heartwrenching sadness, but that it's ultimately an inspiring story.

Families can talk about the way that Rocky tries to show Diana what colors look like? If you were going to try to explain colors to a blind person, what would you do? What tastes, smells, touches and sounds would you use to give a blind person the feelings of red, yellow, blue, pink, green? Why don't Diana's parents want her to see Rocky? Does that surprise you? How do Rocky and Rusty take care of each other? Give some examples. Why is Rusty better at taking care of Rocky than she is at taking care of herself? Were you surprised by the tenderness of the bikers? In what way were they like a family? In what ways is it harder for Rocky to resolve his feelings of teenage rebellion than it would be for you?

Message

Social Behavior:

Theme of tolerance of difference, including people with disabilities (Diana's parents do not want her to associate with Rocky because of his disability, even though she is disabled herself), people with different lifestyles

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

MASK is based on the true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a teenager with a genetic defect that turned his face into a huge "mask" of bone. Rocky’s mom, Rusty (Cher), is a wild, tough woman who constantly fights for her son’s right to lead a normal life. When a new doctor tells Rocky he’s got just a few months to live, mom and son refuse to listen since Rocky has outlived earlier diagnoses. When Rocky becomes a counselor's aide at a summer camp for the blind, he meets Diana (Laura Dern). Romance blossoms, but Diana’s parents disapprove. Back at home, Rocky battles with his mom about her alcohol and drug abuse, and driving out her boyfriend Gar (Sam Elliott). For her son, Rusty cleans up. On some level she knows that he is nearing the end, and she wants him to die knowing that she will be all right.

Is it any good?

4
This is not a typical "disease of the week" movie about someone triumphing over adversity. It is a far more complex and moving story about two people who love and care for and about each other. Though in other aspects of her life Rusty is completely irresponsible, even dissolute, with Rocky she is the ideal of maternal strength and commitment. And Rocky is a source of strength for her, too, acting almost as her parent.

The movie has several exceptionally touching moments, and it shows us over and over again that it is not about an "abnormal" boy in a normal world, but about a real boy in a world where everyone is different. As he says, "I look weird, but otherwise I'm real normal." Rocky has some interesting ways of coping with his problems. He has his version of Pollyanna's "Glad Game," using happy memories to help him through hard times. And his mother, who herself uses drugs, helps him manage his headaches without drugs by "talking them away."

Other choices

The Elephant Man

My Left Foot

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 04/13/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

One of the best and saddest movies in the world!

This movie is the best. I love how everyone in Rocky's mom's motercycle gang accepts Rocky for how he is. This really is a great movie.

Adult Reviews

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There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 04/13/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

One of the best and saddest movies in the world!

This movie is the best. I love how everyone in Rocky's mom's motercycle gang accepts Rocky for how he is. This really is a great movie.
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