 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mask
- Review Date: January 10, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1985
Common Sense Media says
Complex, moving story most appropriate for teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this drama has moments of heartwrenching sadness, but that it's ultimately an inspiring story.
What's the story?
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?
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."
What families can talk about
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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Truly great! Really, really amazing movie that can at no point be classified as a cliche, or anything similar. Its filled with enough hope for a whole movie audience, and enough smiles to last to the very end of the movie. But, this is a tough drama, and viewers should be prepared for it. I wouldn't reccommend it for a little Saturday light comedy, far from it. Its realistic, and emotional. But, its also amazing and can really make you see things in a different light.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
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.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
ok movie
i have only seen some parts of this movie but ut looked ok. But it is certaintly not for younger kids due to languge, and some adult situations. and also the wqay the main character looks may be disturbing and scary for younger kids.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Don't judge books by their covers
While there are some instances of drinking, smoking and drug use, it's not shown in a positive way. It's shown in a realistic way.
This is such a moving story, and shows great examples of not judging by appearance. Rocky is shown as strong and stable. His mother is also strong, but not quite as stable...however, she is filled with love and determination against strong obstacles. The bikers are shown as loving and strongly bonded...not as violent or anti-society as typically portrayed in movies. They are real, caring people who just happen to ride motorcycles.
The strength of Rocky serves as inspiration. Although physically deformed, he always holds his head high and excels at academics and sensibility. He inspires his fellow teenagers and shows them that even when ridiculed because of his physical appearance, he can joke about it and rise above it.
The movie has some very intensely emotional scenes. I admit that I cry every time I watch it. But that's why it's such a great movie.
The performances are top notch. The story is moving and quite strong. A great example to teach kids and adults to not judge based on appearance.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Emotional!
Sex : In many scenes, Cher gets wasted to a large amount of different guys. Cher leans back on a tree and makes out with a guy she just me, but you only see this scene for a short amout of time. Also she kisses a different guy and closes the door implying sex. Finally she settles down with her ex boyfriend and their relationdhip is real and strong. He jumps out at her and kisses her in a funhouse and they do kiss a few other times, once they snuggle in bed together and sex is implied though they don't show sex. Rocky's charactor falls in love and kisses a girl twice but slowly and sweetly. He soon is seperated from her. There is some fighting between Rocky and Cher that contains sexual diolauge. Some content such as "Mom! I'm tired of you coming home wasted every night", "he was willing to give me a little bonus so I took it.", "That coat is the only thing of yours that will be on my bed again!", "All you care about is gettied loaded and laid.", "Wanna take it out on trade?", "Mom, I don't want you to go out tonight!" ---Violence: Cher smashes all of her china and knocks down a shelf as she cries. She then takes a big box of drugs and throws it at a lamp. Her son is dead so she does a lot of crying and breaking in this scene. ----Profanity: Two F@cks, 13 S*its, a few b!tches, some D@mns and godd@mns, @ss, a lot of swearing. ---- Drugs, Drinking, Smoking: Cher's role has a drug adiction though she overcomes it. She is scene taking drug pills, powder, smoking many times, and drinking.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Truly exceptional!
I've seen this film many times, it is such a beautiful story. Some violence (not much), strong language, sexual situations -mainly just implied sex but very minor (Rocky's mom hires a prostitute to help Rocky deal with girls (he does not go to bed with her - instead becomes friends), also lots of kissing. Drugs, smoking and drinking are shown mainly by the mother but not graphic. Cher (who plays the mother) is outstanding in this... her performance is just amazing. It's basically about a teen who's face is severely disfigured - after countless times to the doctor, Rocky learns that his condition cannot be helped, even through surgery. He lives his life the best way he can with lots of ups and downs. Living with only his mother, she deals with her stress through drugs and getting what she can from men. Rocky is not a loser, he is not a loner nor is he a freak. Rocky is smart, cool and shares the same interests as any teen boy. The film is powerful because it shows how important it is to love and accept ourselves no matter what. Rocky changes lives and later becomes accepted by his new classmates (and also scores his first girlfriend at a blind camp!) but is still looked at as wearing a mask every where he goes. I think his character is very brave, confident and optimistic. I would definitely be Rocky's friend, he is funny, kind and considerate. A very heartbreaking ending! Have some kleenex handy. This is truly a gem and cannot be missed, worth every minute!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Peter Bogdanovich |
| Cast: | Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 8, 1985 |
| DVD release date: | September 7, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
