Review Detail

This movie is based on the true story of  a boy, Roy "Rocky" Dennis, with a rare genetical disorder that is disfiguring and causes cranial enlargements.  Played amazingly by Eric Stoltz, not only is his life not normal due to his disorder and disfigurement, but he does not have a normal mother.  His mother, Rusty Dennis, played by Cher,  was totally supportive of Rocky but was also part of a motorcycle gang and was addicted to drugs.  Her boyfriend Gar, played by Sam Elliot, was also supportive of him and was like a father figure to him.  Rocky has to deal with ridicule for his appearance due to his facial deformity, but he feels the love of his mother, her boyfriend and the motorcycle gang who are his support.  Rocky even finds love when he works in a camp for the blind and meets a young girl.  Although he outlived his life expectancy, one morning Rusty finds her son dead.  This is devastating to her, as she never accepted the doctor's prognosis.  This is a heartwarming true story played by amazing actors.  The make-up to disfigure Rocky was so amazing that it won an Academy Award for best makeup.  A movie that is sad but uplifting at the same time.  Wonderful!