Review of Mask (1985) by Guy G — 09 Jul 2011

[60/C] This melodrama (based upon a true story) about a young man with a rare face-deforming disorder is loaded with sappy sentiment and tear-jerking anxiety, as you'd expect, but also unbelievable and farcical idealizations of biker sub-culture, which are a little unusual. It's stilted, but adeptly presented, and with some effective performances, especially by Eric Stoltz in the lead role, whose character is the embodiment of courage, cheerful determination, and maturity well beyond his years.

Of course, it's a sad story, of little everyday triumphs against a difficult destiny, won through the warmth of family and inherent hope. Not nearly as bathetic as it all sounds, but often touching.