Acclaimed filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich directed this heartwarming and inspirational film based on the real-life story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a terribly disfigured but highly sensitive and intelligent teenager. Motivated by his loving mother, Rusty (Cher), and her boyfriend, Gar (Sam Elliott), Rocky ultimately overcomes pain, loneliness and prejudice to become a role model to his classmates and teachers alike.
Bonus Content:
- Mask Revealed: A Conversation with Director Peter Bogdanovich
- Feature Commentary with Director Peter Bogdanovich
Aspect Ratio : 1.85:1
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
Product Dimensions : 7.75 x 5.75 x 0.53 inches; 0.01 ounces
Item model number : 1022788
Director : Peter Bogdanovich
Media Format : NTSC, Multiple Formats, Director’s Cut, Anamorphic, DTS Surround Sound, Special Edition, Subtitled, Color, Widescreen, Dolby, AC-3
Run time : 2 hours and 7 minutes
Release date : August 30, 2009
Actors : Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott
Subtitles: : Spanish, French
Language : English (DTS 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Unqualified, Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Studio : Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
ASIN : B00009AOBI
Country of Origin : USA
Number of discs : 1
F. J. Gonzales –
Truly unconditional love, brilliant and touching, elevated by an Oscar-worthy performance by Cher.
[Minor Spoilers] At first glance, this doesn’t seem to be a film that would radiate heartwarming and life-affirming qualities, but the Oscar-winning “Mask” (1985) actually improves with each viewing, as only the very best movies do. Hollywood embellishments and minor changes were, indeed, made to this true story (which has seemingly become more of a formality these days with most movies based on true stories), but anything lost in translation from true life to film is reclaimed by this film’s yield as such an everlasting cinematic treasure. And the foundation of my claim here is Cher’s delivery of what should be considered the best performance in movie history by a female without an Oscar nomination (and even one of the best in general), surely the snub of the century (what a cinematic travesty). Another testament to Cher’s truly remarkable performance is her manner of elevating her character to such a level that she almost steals the movie from the central character, by no means an easy task. In “Mask,” Cher plays Florence “Rusty” Dennis, the biker mother of young Roy “Rocky” Dennis, the also outstanding but sometimes forgotten Eric Stoltz (“Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Pulp Fiction”), though only because of heavy makeup and a facial prosthetic worn throughout the film (which won a special Oscar), who develops an extremely rare, disfiguring, and potentially fatal bone disease that causes calcium to build up in his skull. In fact, doctors gave him little chance for survival, since most patients with the disease rarely survive beyond childhood. Just the same, however, Rusty remains steadfast in seeing to it that Rocky has as normal a life as possible, even though that usually involves exceptional love, fittingly punctuated in an opening scene in which Rusty tells Rocky’s junior high school principal, “Mr. Simms” (Ben Piazza), that it’s a public school, not a “special” one, that fits Rocky’s needs. And as Rusty exits the room in a huff because of Mr. Simms’ reluctance to want to enroll her son, Rocky so naturally complements the unique bond he has with his Mom by saying, “Don’t worry, Mr. Simms. I look weird, but otherwise I’m real normal.” Sam Elliott, similarly overlooked by the Oscars, as Rusty’s on-again-off-again boyfriend Gar (and Rocky’s father figure for his absent biological father), also turns in his career-best performance, a mighty weighty statement considering his plethora of career roles, mostly westerns. But in “Mask,” Elliott shows just enough of a tender side (i.e., always acknowledging Rocky’s needs; helping Rusty write an I-miss-you letter to Rocky when he’s away at camp because she’s just too emotional to do so; telling Rocky the story of when his Mom took him to get his picture taken and how proud and beautiful she was on that particular day; and Gar just being there for the both of them when they needed him most, etc.) while simultaneously and convincingly displaying every ounce of his character’s machismo. The film is diligently directed by Peter Bogdanovich (“The Last Picture Show”), and Bogdanovich fought (with surprising difficulty) to keep the film’s original music, mostly Bruce Springsteen (with some Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steely Stan), when the studio wanted to go with the less expensive Bob Seger in the 11th hour, with Seger’s music ultimately contained in the theatrical release and initial DVD release. The real-life Rusty, who passed away in 2006, always had agreed with Bogdanovich regarding the music, reportedly saying that Rocky didn’t even know who Bob Seger was. But, thankfully, the original music was finally restored for the DVD Director’s Cut (which also contains two additional, though not necessarily essential, scenes not in the original cut: Rusty and Rocky singing a mother-son duet around a campfire with their friends and a separate funeral scene). The supporting cast is equally strong, including a young Laura Dern as Diana, Rocky’s love interest, and Dennis Burkley as Dozer, their mostly mute family friend, as well as the rest of Rocky’s surrogate biker family. It doesn’t take long for the viewer to realize that not only is Rocky loved but that he’s just like one of us, someone with hopes and dreams (we even see Rocky’s world-map tacks strategically pinned on his bedroom wall, denoting his dream destinations). We also see that his Mom’s unwavering love has become instilled in Rocky when he, in turn, worries about Rusty’s drug problems and sometimes reckless lifestyle, as well as covering up for his Mom’s behavior when her parents arrive (the smartly cast Estelle Getty of “The Golden Girls” and Richard Dysart), essentially becoming the parent himself in these scenes. But, as intended, it’s Rocky’s extraordinary trials and tribulations that bring the sweetest fulfillment, in countless scenes, but especially in the school-awards ceremony, one of the most unforgettably moving moments you’ll ever see on film, and Dozer’s proud and poignant moment with Rocky outside the school afterwards. And, of course, the film’s enduring message is that we’re all the same on the inside, no matter what we look like on the outside and no matter who we call our family, for ultimately it is our hearts for which we will be judged. [Note: Although snubbed at the Oscars, Cher did get the smaller consolation of being nominated by the Golden Globes for Best Actress in “Mask” and would, indeed, get the last laugh, with her performance in “Mask” winning her Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, considered by some to be even more prestigious than the Oscars, since Cannes is international, not just national. And, as a kind of apology for the “Mask” snub, the Academy Awards would eventually award Cher with an Oscar for Best Actress, although it was for the less memorable “Moonstruck” in 1987.]
Michael C Tully –
Classic
Great movie from my childhood.
Danny –
Great Movie
Love this movie!!
MR.T –
Fast shipping
Great movies and bonus content
Happy Customer –
Good dvd
Good dvd that arrived in good shape.
KB –
Great movie, hard to find on DVD
This is not an easy movie to find on DVD. I am thrilled that I was able to get it.
dawn v. –
Love it
Love it
Brett. –
Someone who counted in the world!
When his mother said No, he’s not going to go to some special school Rocky Dennis (Erik Stoltz) says to the principal, Don’t worry I’ll work hard. & I won’t let you down. His mother did stick up for him every once in a while, but didn’t give him enough attention, because she was a drug addict. That explains the lazy look you saw on her face a lot of times. Rocky & her argued too. & it came to pass. & eventually she quit doing drugs. & Rocky wouldn’t tolerate it if somebody picked on him or teased him in school. He stood his ground. That takes a lot of guts. Gar (Sam Elliot) was a good friend of Rocky’s mother. & also thought the world of Rocky. That’s the only motorcycle gang in any movie I’ve seen that’s not violent. Anyhow, Rocky wants to do something with his life, & has got all these places pegged on his world wide map of his on the wall that he’d like to go to. He never said too much about his goals. I guess it was not to be afraid of people, or feel embarrassed. He & one of his closest friends named Ben had talked about doing things together & had plans. Rocky freaks out when Ben says he’s decided to take a job somewhere. Rocky’s grandparents also visit. & take Rocky to a Baseball game. He was also invited to go to summer camp. The only thing is though the campers there were blind. Rocky meets a girl there. He shows her things & she shows him a thing or 2. He had a good time there. Its a good feeling to get out enjoy the world if you feel depressed. I do think Rocky learned a few things. He found out his new girlfriend liked horses. Her parents though were not too sure they wanted her around Rocky. To me they were a little rude to him. Maybe they didn’t mean to be. Rocky dies at the end of the movie, being still affected from the way he was born, having headaches once in a while, & they seemed to be getting worse as he got older.I give him 100% credit for trying to live life to the fullest.He was no different than anyone else. Just in his appearance. I’ve seen the movie many times.& I know its worth watching.It is a true story.Even I felt bad about Rocky’s death. Too bad he couldn’t have lasted a little longer!
Je suis très satisfaite de ce produit merci c’est un bon testeur pour vérifier l’ai –
C’est une histoire vraie merci
maurice pèno –
Parfait ðð
June –
I’m a biker chick at heart so loved the “family”. Beautiful story.
clarice –
Un bellissimo film di un regista, Bogdanovich, che deve molto al cinema classico americano e ha imparato da grandi autori come Lubitsch a mostrare la diversità come una risorsa, come metafora dell’autenticità di tutti noi.Un inno alla diversità , quella dolorosa e sofferta, ma soprattutto quella allegra di chi sa vedere la parte di vita che ha, non quella che gli manca. Un film che in questo senso è anche una lezione di vita.Indimenticabile la scena in cui Rocky fa capire alla ragazza cieca di cui è innamorato cosa sono i colori.
Leokieh –
Diese zweite Veröffentlichung des Films Die Maske zeigt zusätzliche Szenen und beinhaltet noch den originalen Soundtrack!! Das Ganze allerdings nur auf englisch,es wäre echt schön wenn es diese DVD auch in Deutschland bald zu kaufen gäbe.