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The Man Without A Face | Year: 1993 Classification: Drama Country: USA Directed: - Mel Gibson Actors/Actresses: - Nick Stahl - Mel Gibson - Margaret Whitton A Powerhouse of a Movie This movie is an incredible moving expierience. Nick Stahl plays Chuck Nordstatt in this coming of age drama. The charming kid is beleved to be "too unstable and removed" to complete his dream: to be a pilot in the army. Once more, he doesn't have any recollection of his father, and his mother refuses to divulge such secrets. His older sister, and many of his friends think he is seriously disturbed. So he begins to question his self worth, and begins to think he is crazy. Then he meets with resident town freak,( Mel Gibson in his most powerful performance ever) an ex-teacher who decides to tutor him to help him acquire his dream. The movie teaches a valuable lesson, but doesn't come off as preachy(which is to it's benifit) Both charachters find what they are searching for in each other. The resoloution is visually stunning and touching. It proves that someone you've known for only a short time can impact you for the duration of your life. First time's a charm. Mel Gibson's first time directing is notably successful. The Man Without A Face is warm movie with themes touching prejudice, the relationship between teacher and student, and faces of deception. Chuck Norstadt is a young boy whose mother's capricious relationships have sent her skimming through multiple marriages and developing a considerable deal of tension at home. The dysfunctional family leaves Chuck desperately looking for companionship. He finds an unlikely friend, the town's "freak," Justin McLeod (Gibson), who had half his face horribly scarred in a car accident. McLeod lives in a big house on the coast as a lonely hermit whose past is shrouded in ugly rumors and fear. McLeod becomes Chuck's tutor and his friend, although Chuck will do some teaching of his own. They both realize they have a lot to learn about each other, and their friendship develops into something stirring and honest. Things get complicated when vile rumors and intolerance threaten to separate them, though. The script is smart, and Gibson's direction guides this film with a discerning knack for emotional lucidity and realism. Nick Stahl (as Chuck) is one of the few young actors who can do emotional expression that doesn't seem forced and stupid. This is critical, because bad casting for Chuck would seriously have ruined this movie. Gibson, of course, is great here, but what would you expect? He's a tremendously versatile actor. I do think the movie probably should have been about 10 minutes longer to flesh out the ending a bit. That's not a huge complaint...the last scene in the movie makes up for any disappointment because it is very moving and evocative in its simplicity. Ahh...truly an excellent movie. Where is Mom when you need her? This film is about people who judge another without knowing a thing about him - just make up a story! It also portrays how the members of some families in American today occasionally cross paths knowing little about each other. Throw in an incompetent, egotistical, selfish mother who is less interested in her children than in her next lover, and it is no wonder the boy turns to a stranger who is badly scarred for acceptance, encouragement, guidance, help and love. Too bad, McLeod could not have been accepted for who he seemed to be - a man who had been through a horrible ordeal trying to live in peace with others. Instead, all because he tried to befriend and aid a child (who, by the way, was a very dishonest child), he was silently judged guilty of who knows what crimes, all without trial, by a few disgusting bigots in this lovely vacation town. An interesting study of a dysfunctional fatherless family being raised by a single mom who has more money than brains. Good thing Gibson was in the movie to save the day, and the boy played his part well. Buy The Man Without A Face at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Man Without A Face Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Man Without A Face This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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