On M List of Movie Reviews

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The Man Without a Face (1993)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 4/25

4/25: The first film directed by Mel Gibson, The Man Without a Face is his most underrated.

Well-acted, good story, and plenty of depth are the hallmarks that make this one a compelling viewing. Mostly shot on location in Maine, it's a hybrid of Educating Rita, Shane, and Dolores Claiborne. I didn't realize the boy was Nick Stahl when I saw the film around that time. Then again, he made his screen debut and wouldn't be established until years later.

While watching The Man Without a Face, the idea of Justin McLeod sexually abusing Charles Norstadt never entered my mind. How come? It's Mel Gibson. Why would he do something like that given his extensive history of playing heroes? Hence, the last thirty minutes is weird and uncommon, but it doesn't sour the film as a whole.

Although it's easy to be swayed by Mel Gibson because of his immense star power, Nick Stahl steals the show. It's a formidable task, especially when a child star is concerned, tending to be either annoying or corny. Forget the rest of the cast; the show is all about these two. When they have interactions, their conversations are interesting, making the time go quickly.

All in all, The Man Without a Face is a can't-miss.

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