Mask DVD Review:

Nearly a decade before Jim Carrey’s cartoon like comedy The Mask, there was a film simply titled Mask. While The Mask was about a simple man that becomes extraordinary when he wears a mask, Mask is an extraordinary true story of Rocky Dennis, a boy who never wore a mask, but rather has a face which looks like one.

Rocky has a disease, Lionitis, which has terribly disfigured his face and caused his scull to grow past a size which is safe for his health. Yet every
time the doctors diagnose him and estimate his lifespan, Rocky manages to prove them wrong and live longer. Rocky has a difficult life at times,
though, often facing people who aren’t able to look past his distorted image and see an amazingly intelligent and sweet boy.

Rocky gets by with the help of his single mother, Rusty (Cher) and their group of biker friends, including Rusty’s boyfriend, Gar (Sam Elliot). The
group surrounding Rocky is full of outcasts and social misfits, which is probably why they understand him better than anyone else can.
Many elements of the film are not different from any other coming of age film, or family drama, despite the irregular hero. Rocky must deal with
switching schools, figuring out girls, and his mother’s increased addiction to drugs. All of this on top of his disease makes life difficult for Rocky,
and yet throughout the entire film he manages to inspire everyone surrounding him with his positive outlook.

In many respects a quiet film, Mask features fantastic performances which never feel forced. Eric Stoltz, who plays Rocky, was said to have gone out
in public in full make-up to better understand how Rocky must have been treated. Credit must also be given to the make-up artist, who one an Academy
Award for his work. The make-up is always believable blended with Stoltz’s deep understanding of Rocky.

Another performance which cannot be ignored is the one given by Cher. She plays the role of the mother who does things her own way with stark
precision. While many actresses would have had trouble diving into a role somewhat gritty without losing the sensitivity which remains in Rusty, Cher
never even seems to be acting.

Nineteen years after its original release, we now have the director’s cut on DVD, a version as deserving of praise as the original. Even after all of
the years that have passed, the film is still effective, and not at all dated.

With a touching director’s commentary, and a featurette with interviews by director Peter Bogdanovich and Cher’s screen test, the Mask DVD is not a waste of money, and yet it also seem to be lacking somewhat. For a film that was this acclaimed, based on a true story, one would hope for something more under special features. The main menu is a bit dry as well, lacking even
music.

Yet if you can get by without all of the bells and whistles, Mask is truly a touching film, while never melodramatic, and absolutely worth seeing.

Ryan Izay

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