Review of Mask (1985) by Jack W — 20 Jul 2013

Instead of finding Mask sad, I find it hopeful and uplifting. Oh, sure, it's always sad when the prime character that we have become invested in dies at the end. But the movie shows that a person that society frequently shuns, can overcome these prejudices, and despite Rocky's painful and life-threatening disease, he still had a life where most of his schoolmates accepted him. A life where he found many who cared for him and even someone who would love him. His mother, Rusty, treated him as a normal boy, expected to do his chores and his schoolwork. And Rocky's behavior was pretty much the same as any person his age. Despite knowing he would probably not live a long life, Rocky carried on, achieving high marks in school, and planned a future that he knew he probably would not live to see. Rocky used humor to make others comfortable with his appearance, and sometimes he fought back. And though he did not succeed all of the time, he did succeed most of the time.

If you only look for, and expect, the negative, the bad in life, that is what you will find. Rocky looked for positive and good things to happen for him, and that is what he got.