Mask Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A severely deformed teen rides a Harley, tutors blind kids, and inspires his biker mom to maybe chill out on the drugs…or not.

🍿 Mask: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Rocky and Rusty

Set in 1970s California, ‘Mask’ introduces Roy ‘Rocky’ Dennis, a teenager with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, a rare disorder causing severe facial disfigurement. Despite his appearance, Rocky is intelligent, witty, and optimistic. His mother, Rusty, is a fiercely protective and unconventional biker who loves her son unconditionally.

Rocky’s Life and Challenges

The film follows Rocky as he navigates the challenges of adolescence, including attending a mainstream school, making friends, and experiencing first love. He faces prejudice and stares, but his positive attitude and supportive mother help him overcome these obstacles. Rusty battles her own demons, including drug addiction, but always puts Rocky’s needs first.

Love and Loss

Rocky finds love with Diana, a blind girl who sees beyond his appearance. They share a deep connection, but their relationship is complicated by Diana’s overprotective parents. Rocky also faces the reality of his limited life expectancy as his health deteriorates.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz): A highly intelligent and good-natured teenager with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia who strives to live a normal life despite his severe facial deformity.
• Rusty Dennis (Cher): Rocky’s fiercely protective and unconventional mother, a drug-addicted biker who fights for her son’s acceptance and happiness.
• Gar (Sam Elliott): Rusty’s on-again, off-again boyfriend and a father figure to Rocky, providing him with love and support.
• Diana Adams (Laura Dern): A blind girl who attends a summer camp where she meets Rocky, falling in love with him for his inner beauty.
• Ben (Lawrence Monoson): Rocky’s best friend, with whom he plans a motorcycle trip across Europe.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rocky Dennis: “What’s the matter, never seen anyone from the planet Vulcan before?” – Rocky’s humorous response to people staring at him, displaying his wit and ability to handle uncomfortable situations.
• Rusty Dennis: “He’s beautiful on the inside.” – Rusty fiercely defends Rocky against prejudice, emphasizing the importance of inner beauty over physical appearance.
• Rocky Dennis: “These things are good: ice cream and cake, a ride on a Harley, seeing monkeys in the trees, the rain on my tongue, and the sun shining on my face. These things are a drag: dust in my hair, holes in my shoes, no money in my pocket, and the sun shining on my face.” – This poem, written by Rocky, is read in voiceover at the end of the film, summing up his outlook on life’s joys and frustrations.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $48,230,162
• Worldwide Gross: $48,230,162

💥 Mask Reviews

Personal Review

I bawled my eyes out! ‘Mask’ is a beautiful, heart-wrenching movie. Eric Stoltz just disappears into the role of Rocky, and Cher is amazing as his fiercely protective mom. The scene where Rocky is teaching the blind girl, Diana, about colors is so sweet and touching. It just hits you right in the feels. This movie reminds me that true beauty is on the inside. Definitely a must-see, but have the tissues ready!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of biographical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about overcoming adversity”
  • “Those who appreciate strong performances by Cher and Eric Stoltz”
  • “Fans of Peter Bogdanovich’s directing”
  • “Anyone interested in stories that explore inner beauty and acceptance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Death of a child”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A moving drama that transcends its ‘disease-of-the-week’ trappings thanks to powerful performances and Bogdanovich’s sensitive direction. Cher shines as Rusty, a complex and flawed mother fiercely devoted to her son.
• Roger Ebert: “Mask avoids easy sentimentality, presenting a raw and honest portrait of a family dealing with extraordinary circumstances. Stoltz delivers a remarkable performance under heavy makeup, capturing Rocky’s wit and intelligence.
• The New York Times: “Despite the heavy subject matter, Mask is surprisingly uplifting. The film celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding beauty in unexpected places. Stellar performances by Cher, Stoltz and Elliot.

Audience Reactions

Eric Stoltz’s performance under heavy makeup was incredible and authentic.: Viewers praise Stoltz’s portrayal of Rocky’s intelligence and spirit, despite his physical challenges.

Cher’s role as a tough yet loving biker mom was both convincing and touching.: Most agree that Cher delivered one of the best performances of her career, showcasing the depth of a mother’s love.

The scene where Rocky teaches Diana about colors is incredibly touching.: The beautiful and heartwarming moments of Rocky teaching Diana is universally praised as one of the film’s most poignant moments.

Overall Consensus: A touching and inspirational drama that explores themes of acceptance, inner beauty, and the power of love, despite a difficult premise. Stellar performances elevates the film above typical disease-of-the-week fare.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Makeup)- 1986
2. Cannes Film Festival (Best Actress (Cher))- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Eric Stoltz spent so much time under heavy make-up that when he arrived for the post-production party, he had to present I.D. to security to prove that he was Eric Stoltz. Also, when he got there, he had to introduce himself to some of the cast and crew because many of them didn’t know what he really looked like.”
• “The Director’s Cut includes a scene where Rocky & Rusty sing around a bonfire, and the funeral of cyclist Red (his motorbike is buried beside him). It also replaces the Bob Seger songs with those of Bruce Springsteen.”
• “Cher won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance as Rusty Dennis.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mask?

Mask (1985) is currently available for purchase or rental on several platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region. Digital and physical copies of the film are also available from retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mask, you might like these similar films:

• The Elephant Man (1980): Both films explore the life of a person with severe physical deformities and the prejudice they face, focusing on their inner humanity.
• Wonder (2017): A modern equivalent that tells the story of a young boy with facial differences attending mainstream school for the first time, emphasizing themes of acceptance and kindness.
• My Left Foot (1989): Based on the true story of Christy Brown, who had cerebral palsy, it shares themes of overcoming physical limitations to achieve personal and artistic fulfillment.

🛒 Mask Related Products

• Mask (Blu-ray): Own the unforgettable story of Rocky Dennis on stunning Blu-ray. Experience the emotional journey with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• Cher: The Film Collection (DVD): Includes Mask and other notable Cher films. A perfect gift for fans of Cher’s acting career.
• Turks Motorcycle Club T-Shirt: Show your love for ‘Mask’ with this Turks MC inspired t-shirt. A subtle nod to the movie’s heartwarming message.
• Rocky Dennis: A True Inspiration: Book detailing the real life of Rocky Dennis. An inspirational story of courage and resilience.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mask features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Peter Gunn Theme” – performed by Henry Mancini
• “Katmandu” – performed by Bob Seger
• “Badlands” – performed by Bruce Springsteen
• “The Promised Land” – performed by Bruce Springsteen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Was The Mask Supposed to be Gory?

Did you know ‘The Mask’ was originally intended to be super gory? This video dives into that concept and how the movie could have been totally different, and honestly, I’m a little curious about what a horror version would look like!

The Mask Kills Everyone: The Mask #0 | Comics Explained

The movie is hilarious, but the comic is WILD! This video breaks down the comic book version of ‘The Mask,’ and trust me, it’s way darker than you think. It’s kinda crazy to see how much they toned it down!

Why Jim Carrey Is One Of The Only Actors You Can’t Replace

Let’s be real, no one could’ve played ‘The Mask’ like Jim Carrey. This video explains why he’s irreplaceable and why that role was practically made for him. I think this might make you appreciate his performance even more!

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