The Man Without a Face
| The Man Without a Face | |
|---|---|
 The Man Without a Face movie poster | |
| Directed by | Mel Gibson |
| Written by | Malcolm MacRury (screenplay) Based on the novel by Isabelle Holland |
| Produced by | Bruce Davey, Dalisa Cohen (co-producer) |
| Starring | Mel Gibson Nick Stahl |
| Cinematography | Donald McAlpine |
| Edited by | Tony Gibbs |
| Music by | James Horner |
| Distributed by | Warner |
Release dates | August 25, 1993 |
Running time | 114 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 Million |
The Man Without a Face is a 1993 drama starring and directed by Mel Gibson. The movie is based on Isabelle Holland's 1972 novel of the same name. Gibson's directorial debut received respectful reviews from most critics.
Tagline
- A fatherless boy had given up all his dreams...until one man believed in him enough to make them come true.
Plot
The film takes place in the turbulent era of the late 1960's. For the past seven years, Justin McLeod (Gibson) has been living the life of a recluse painter. McLeod, a former teacher, has lived this way ever since a car accident left him disfigured and killed one of his students. However, a young boy named Chuck needs a tutor to help him pass a military academy's entrance exam. He eventually is able to persuade McLeod to become his teacher, and the two develop a friendship.
Chuck keeps his daily meetings with McLeod a secret to avoid the scorn of being associated with the disfigured man with a past shrouded in mystery. When his mother learns that Chuck has been visiting the man, she and the rest of the town are convinced that McLeod must have been molesting the child, and despite Chuck's repeated denials. Chuck confronts McLeod, and learns the full story of his disfigurement: McLeod, a former teacher, was in a car accident with a student who was in love with him. He was branded a pedophile, exiled from his hometown. Once his relationship with Chuck is discovered, McLeod is once again railed out of town and ordered by the authorities not to have any sort of contact with Chuck.
On his way out of town, McLeod leaves Chuck a note wishing him the best of luck in his academic goals and a meek reminder to the audience about the need for society to tolerate people that are different. In the film's finale, Chuck is shown graduating with honors from the military academy. and sees a mysterious figure in the background and recognizes it as his tutor, the man without a face.
Chuck waves to McLeod who turns around and returns the favor.
Production
The Man Without a Face was filmed in Maine and marked the film debut of Nick Stahl. Mel Gibson initially had planned only to direct the film, and he asked three other actors to play the role of Justin McLeod. However, due to difficulty securing funding, Gibson decided to star in the movie.
Treatment of Sexuality
The film’s treatment of sexuality between Justin McLeod and Chuck Norstadt differs from the book by Isabelle Holland. In the original novel, McLeod behaved in a way that could be interpreted as child grooming, taking Chuck swimming and being affectionate to him. Chuck seemed to be attracted to McLeod more than just as a father figure. There is one scene where it is strongly implied that McLeod sexually abuses Chuck in his bedroom. In the film, McLeod demonstrates no sexual interest in the boy at all, even though Chuck appears downstairs in his underwear when the police officer calls. Critics have noted that the book's criticism of homophobia had been obscured in the film version.
Mel Gibson has expressed dislike for the book because of its implied sexual contact between McLeod and Chuck: “I read the script first and that's what I liked. The book is just - I'm sorry, but the guy did it. And you know, like, why? I just wanted to say something a lot more positive.”[1]
Box Office
Cast
- Mel Gibson .... Justin McLeod
- Nick Stahl .... Charles E. 'Chuck' Norstadt
- Margaret Whitton .... Catherine Palin
- Fay Masterson .... Gloria Norstadt
- Gaby Hoffmann .... Megan Norstadt
- Geoffrey Lewis .... Chief Wayne Stark
- Richard Masur .... Prof. Carl Hartley
- Michael DeLuise .... Douglas Hall, Gloria's Boyfriend
- Ethan Phillips .... Todd Lansing
- Jean De Baer .... Mrs. Lansing
- Jack De Mave .... Mr. Cooper
- Viva .... Mrs. Cooper
- Justin Kanew .... Rob Lansing
- Sean Kellman .... David Taylor-Fife
- Chris Lineburg .... Scott Pearson
- Kelly Wood .... Amy Banks
- Jessica Taisey .... Signy Eaton
- David A. McLaughlin .... Chuck's Father
- George Martin .... Sam the Barber
- Timothy Sawyer .... Gus
- Lawrence Wescott Jr. .... Bob
- Michael Currie .... Mr. Cameron, General Store Owner
- Stanja Lowe .... Mrs. Cameron
- Zach Grenier .... Dr. Lionel Talbot, Psychiatrist
- William Meisle .... Judge Sinclair
- Robert Hitt .... Mr. William McDowell
- Mary Lamar Mahler .... Miss Fletcher, Children's Aid
- Robert DeDiemar Jr. .... Chuck at age 17
- Drew Guenett .... Ferry Crew Member
- Gene Leverone, a renowned actor.... Holyfield Master #1
- Malcolm MacRury .... Holyfield Master #2
- George D. Fuller .... Speaker at Graduation
- Harriette C. Henninger .... Neighbor
- Edmund Genest .... Husband #6 (as Edmond Genest)
- John B. Guptill .... Chuck's Friend
- Michael Forte .... Pedestrian
- Elizabeth S. Clarke .... Ferry Passenger
- Sam Nelson .... Beluga (uncredited)
References
- ^ Joanna Conners (1993-08-22). "The Many Faces of Mel". The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
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