In honor of Oscar nominations announced this week I feel that this movie deserves a discussion. The story of a young boy with a deformity, facing life with his drug addict mother, and jumping into the hearts of the audience. Cher was definitely robbed of getting a nomination for this heart wrenching movie. Eric Stoltz, unrecognizable, starred as Rocky Dennis a young high school student with a zest for life and a huge heart. Whenever I think over Eric's career I never really think of this one because of the makeup that he had to wear to be transformed into the gentle creature he portrayed.
I remember when Cher's character finds Rocky and thinks he is just sleeping. So unbelievably sad and poignant. Supporting roles by Laura Dern and Sam Elliot round out this awesome cast. What are your memories of this 1985 flick??
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Jessie.."Mask" is an incredible movie. I seriously get tears in my eyes at the end. Cher gave an outstanding performance, but this is the movie that made me respect Eric Stoltz as a serious actor. He allowed the audience to see a beautiful soul trapped inside an abnormal human shell. I love the summer camp scenes where Rocky finds love.
Not for the weak of heart, but a very powerful movie!
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
This is one of my favs...it was one of the movies on the movie channel we had as a kid...it was played over and over...and I watched it over and over. The character development is great, so as you undoubtedly connect with Rocky throughout the movie, it's impossible not to shed a tear at the end. I really liked Sam Elliot's character as well, and agree...should have at least been an oscar nod for Cher. *Remember Estelle Getty as Rocky's Grandmother as well.
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I love "Mask" too. Eric Stoltz and Cher were both amazing in this. I always loved the part where Rocky tries to teach Laura Dern how to understand colors...I HATE the ending. So sad...
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
I just caught the end of this the other day on Encore........I've always loved it. Like Kev I saw it on the movie channel lots as a kid.
I loved the community of bikers and the characters they all were yet so loving like a family.
Stoltz was great......Cher was great.
I love that the end scene is overcast with the Grateful Dead's Ripple one of my favorite songs of theirs......and lots of Bob Seger......since it was placed in 1980 it was very fitting.....GREAT Movie!!
I'm such a fan of Cher's acting..Mermaids, Moonstruck........maybe not so much her music.
