Mask

I saw Mask in the theatre when it first came out and it still holds a special place in my mind. I was very struck by the look and feel of the film. Cher is fantastic as is Eric Stoltz. Both should have gotten Oscar nods. (Later in the decade, when Cher won for Moonstruck, it was one of those ridiculous ‘oops, we’re sorry we missed you, so here’s your Oscar now’ moments that the Academy is famous for). In fact, the entire cast nails their performances. Sam Elliott is perfect as the monosyllabic Gar. Estelle Getty and Richard Dysart as Cher’s parents are note perfect. A young Laura Dern delivers a memorable performance.

This was a very difficult film to make and Peter Bogdanovich deserves a lot of credit for not turning this story into an ABC Afternoon Special. The film walks a very fine line between maudlin melodrama and film art. The subject matter makes it very difficult for critics and audiences to not sway off this high wire and tumble into either camp. I think the actors’ performances keep this film real and Bogdanovich doesn’t let them go too far into the sappy treacle that could have bogged down this film.

But I must comment on the Seger-Springsteen controversy. For me, the film will always be more special because I saw it with the Seger music. When I saw the director’s cut, the re-insertion of the Springsteen music didn’t make the film any better. Maybe it’s an American thing. I just don’t see what’s so special about Bruce Springsteen. Sorry.

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