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Mask
1985 120 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★8.2
Drama
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Trailers
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EN
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Description
A significantly deformed but highly intelligent teenage boy and his biker gang mother attempt to live as normal a life as possible under the circumstances.
Budget:
$7.5M
US Gross:
$48.23M
Worldwide:
$48.23M
Starring
Cher
Actor
Eric Stoltz
Actor
Sam Elliott
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 1985
— Silver Award – Best Actress
Academy Awards 1986
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Cannes Film Festival 1985
— Palme d'Or
Golden Globe 1986
— Best Supporting Actor
Cannes Film Festival 1985
— Silver Award – Best Actress
Academy Awards 1986
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Key opinion
Mask is widely regarded as a deeply moving and emotionally powerful drama that succeeds by portraying its protagonist's humanity rather than relying on pity. Driven by exceptional performances from Cher and Eric Stoltz, the film is praised for its authentic, life-affirming look at a young man navigating life with a rare physical disability.
| Acting | Eric Stoltz delivers an unrecognizable, career-defining performance that anchors the film's emotional core. | |
| Acting | Cher provides a standout, award-worthy performance as the complex, devoted mother, effectively anchoring the family dynamic. | |
| Direction | Peter Bogdanovich avoids the traps of melodrama, opting for a sincere and respectful directorial approach to a difficult subject. | |
| Theme | The script succeeds by focusing on the protagonist's optimism and humor, successfully elevating the story beyond a simple tragedy. | |
| Emotion | The film's heavy subject matter and portrayal of suffering divide viewers between those who find it a life-affirming masterpiece and those who find the viewing experience too melancholy or difficult to revisit. |