Customer Reviews

The Mask: Director's Cut

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This new directors cut of "Mask" blows away the orginal DVD release. I'm not going to go on about how great the movie is, by now everyone already knows that. I will talk about this edition however. First of all the print is far clearer and more crisp than the original DVD issue. Next of course is the inclusion of the original Bruce Springsteen soundtrack which was recorded but never used in the theatrical and home video releases. In it's place was a Bob Seger soundtrack which was great, but not the original choice. The movie was shot with Springsteen in mind and in fact Rocky has a Springsteen poster hanging in his room. But Bruce is back and used to great effect. His music was used to set a timeline which was lost when the Seger songs were used.
Also included are 8 mins of deleted scenes that have been edited back into the film. One of these scenes (which was sort of referred to in the theatrical version) is a song sung by Rusty (Cher) and Rocky (Eric Stoltz). The song is "Little Egypt" and the scene runs about 4 mins. The other scene is one where one of the bikers dies and his funeral, again this was never before seen.
And finally, there is an easter egg of sorts, at the very end of credits, after a minute or two, Cher comes on screen and speaks about the craniofacial disease and how you can help.
I've always loved the Seger music in the film, particularly "Roll Me Away" at the end. But the Springsteen music works very well too, and as I said, is used as a timeline.
Director Peter Bogdonovich does a commentary as well as a 20 min interview about the movie. As I said in my headline, if you love this movie you will want this new edition, it's well worth it.

Mask is one of those rare "true story" movies that remains that way when it hits the big screen. It also houses an absolutely fabulous performance by Cher, as well as by Eric Stoltz.

Mask is about a boy named Rocky Dennis who is well above average in every way. If it weren't for a degenerative disease that horribly disfigured his face since birth, the world would probably see him that way. At first, those that meet him are understandably nervous and scared, but with an airy confidence, he wins his classmates and peers over.

That confidence comes from his mother, played by Cher. She is an attractive, drug addicted single mother with an on again, off again fling with Gar, played by Sam Elliot. Cher convincingly and movingly plays a mother riddled with insecurites, but in love with her son, who represents to her all she wishes she could be. She was born with the huge advantage of being beautiful, she dropped out of school and got pregnant. She lookes at Rocky and sees someone who was born with every disadvantage (a disfigured face and a short life) and who is confident, responsible, hardworking, and happy. He is also valedictorian of his high school class.

Ever since she had Rocky, she has been strong and tough, making it clear that Rocky will not be treated any differently than anyone else. Rocky takes from that confidence and gives it back to his Mom with the way he lives his life...getting up every morning, facing the world, being happy, taking care of himself, and preparing for and dreaming of a future that he may never have. Her hatred for herself is transcended only by her pure love and open admiration for her son.

I have seen Mask a number of times over the years, but I have to say it gets me every time. It is a movie that deals, realistically and truthfully with a disease that seems almost unreal. But the lessons learned and the topics raised have little to do with the "Mask" and more about the connection between a mother and her son.

One of the best films of the 1980's, or anytime. Wonderfully moving true story of Rocky Dennis, a young man suffering from a disfiguring disease, and the immesurable courage he displayed. This film will make most of us, with our daily "problems", feel like the superficial, shallow, self-pitying , contemptuous, overly image -conscious, ungrateful beings that some of us (I'm just as guilty) often are. Cher is miraculous in this film, playing the all too human, but ultimatley incredibly brave Rusty, Rocky's mother. She gives a performance that, in its' "reality", is second to almost none of recent memory. Equally moving is Eric Stoltz as Rocky, the young man who does not let the cruelty that we humans sometimes inflict upon each other for being "different" get in the way of his experiencing the already elusive joys of life and love. His "Rocky" displays more courage, insight, and forgiveness than most of us could conjure up under the best of conditions. I truly feel the players were guided by the spirit of Rocky, and, in that, were dedicated in letting his incredible spirit and bravery shine through, without them being overly self-absorbed about giving a great "performance". And it shows, as here, they are all at their best. Just a superb movie about a superb human being who wasn't here for long, but who's life taught many. I have actually popped in this film when feeling in need of an attitude adjustment after drowning in pools of self-pity. It always works. Try it the next time you're cursing the heavens for that zit on the end of your nose. Most movies are merely entertaining, at best.(Even that's becoming a rarity.) But it's not often that a movie is not only a flawlessly crafted entertainment experience but, also, a sometimes life altering lesson. "Mask" is such a film. You will be inspired by the noble life of Rocky Dennis... a BEAUTIFUL person.

I recently showed Mask, based on the true-life story of Rocky Dennis, to my high school English class. Even today's teen-agers found the relationship between the disfigured Rocky and his blind girlfriend to be sweetly touching. The two sides of Rocky's biker-chick mother (in an outstanding performance by Cher) led to fruitful writing assignments about a parent struggling with addiction who can also be an incredibly supportive mother to her son. The students were also impressed with Rocky's exemplary personal qualities. Not only was Rocky Dennis an intelligent and sensitive human being who copes with his rare disease with humor and courage, he often has to "parent" his mother, and sets challenging goals for himself despite the death sentence hanging over his head. This film gives a strong message to teens (and adults) that -- despite bad examples sometimes from parents and peers -- having a strong sense of respect for oneself, nurturing long-range personal goals and healthy interests, being kind and decent to others, and maintaining a sense of humor can get us through even the worst challenges life deals us.

I am not going to write about the movie as what more can be said, its incredible, emotional, touching, etc.

I think they need to make a definitive 2-disc edition.
On it, should at least be the following:

-All the extras from this version plus new extras
-A documentary about the real Rocky Dennis, including actual pictures, interviews, etc.
-Where is Eric Stoltz in the extras? Should have interviews with Eric about what it was like playing Rocky Dennis, etc.
- I love the Springsteen music in it but also enjoyed the music in the theatrical version so they should include that version on the 2nd disc.
-At the end of the movie after the credits roll Cher comes on and talks about the disease/disfigurement. This should be longer and could include experts talking about it like doctors, family members, etc. I also think they should've put the Cher interview on the actual special features listing in the dvd and on the back of the case, why have it buried at the end of the movie where not everyone will see it?

hopefully you found this review helpful, if enough people did, maybe the studio will see the demand and release a definitive 2-disc set.

This Director's Cut is bad, simply because it's not the original threatrical version - I liked the old soundtrack and with this one the Springsteen songs seem way too overused and doesn't fit. It was fine the way it was.

A magnificent and completely wonderful film based on the life of physically handicapped (only because society made him so) teen Rocky Dennis.

That's all the summary I'm going to give because this is such a magical film from start to finish that to say anything more may take away from a first time viewer the surprise and amazement that comes with each passing scene.

I will say this, though, this is one of those rare movies where the casting job was done flawlessly. All the actors and actresses in this motion picture were born to play these roles. Eric Stoltz (Rocky), Cher (Rusty) and Sam Elliot (Gar) were particularly outstanding. Laura Dern also gives a brief, but very beautiful, performance as Rocky's very special love interest.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, PLEASE make it a point to do so as soon as possible. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.

Mask is the ultimate Biker movie about the close bond between a mother and her son. There are some awesome scenes that are not shown on VHS or on TV. Everytime I watch this I cry. Sam Elliott is the best Biker Boyfriend for his part. Eric Stoltz outdid himself in this movie and Cher was awesome and really brought this one to home. Cheers

For I am a handicapped person with facial and growth problems, that have totally disenchanted me with having a chance for a happy life.

I saw eric stoltz, give the best performance of a lifetime, it made me realize again, that each us are given a certain deck of cards.

Each with different strengths and weaknesses, and we just have to find our little moments of happiness and success where we can get them.

I pretty much cry the whole movie.

I think it also shows why God has ugliness and beauty, both inner and outer, and they are there to teach us the true beauty always comes from the heart and soul, your character and integrity.

Thank God, for great movies like this.

Rocky Dennis, the central character in this movie, proves without a doubt that true beauty lies within. Although he was hideously deformed, he possessed a beautiful soul and attempted to always reach for the stars, despite the considerable obstacles standing in his path. Although he was not destined to have a long life, his story and his heart will live on forever through this movie. A true tearjerker and a lesson to us to keep dreaming and always try our hardest. Wonderful. This movie deserves more than five stars.