Featured Movies
Partners
Man Without a Face, The
Well-crafted family film based on Isabelle Holland's children's novel about the burgeoning relationship between a fatherless 12 year-old and a reclusive ex-teacher. Mel Gibson stars and directs
For his well-regarded directorial debut Mel Gibson chose this emotive tale of Justin "Hamburger Head" McLeod, a former teacher who's face is disfigured from an explosive car crash years earlier. A boy was burned to death in this accident which resulted in McLeod being convicted for involuntary manslaughter. Many also wrongly suspect him of paedophilia. He now lives a secluded life, keeping visitors at bay with his Alsation dog. That is until Chuck Norstadt comes along. Chuck is a troubled youth who longs to enter the military academy attended by his absentee father. Despite condemnation from the local townspeople, a mentor-pupil relationship develops between the two. McLeod tutors his protégé for the college's entrance exam but also instills in the boy a love of justice and freedom from prejudice, values which will remain with him forever. Both actors turn in exceptional performances. |
