The Man Without a Face
Encyclopedia
The Man Without a Face is a 1993 drama film starring and directed by Mel Gibson
. The film is based on Isabelle Holland
's 1972 novel of the same name. Gibson's directorial debut received respectful reviews from most critics.
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, 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 and 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 reminder to tolerate people who 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, recognizing it as his tutor, the man without a face.
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 film.
. In the original novel, McLeod behaves in a way that could be interpreted as child grooming
, taking Chuck swimming and being affectionate to him. Chuck, meanwhile, seems to be attracted to McLeod as 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.
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."
and Passion of the Christ, an internet rumour falsely attributed to radio commentator Paul Harvey
claimed this film was based on an actual incident that happened to Gibson as a young man. It proved to be false.
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
. The film is based on Isabelle Holland
Isabelle Holland
Isabelle Christian Holland was an author of children and adult fiction. Her father was the American Consul in Liverpool, England during WWII. She moved to America in 1940 due to the war. She wrote gothic novels, adult mysteries, romantic thrillers and many books for children and young adults...
's 1972 novel of the same name. Gibson's directorial debut received respectful reviews from most critics.
Plot
The film takes place in the turbulent era of the late 1960s. 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
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
the child, 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 and 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 reminder to tolerate people who 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, recognizing it as his tutor, the man without a face.
Cast
- Mel GibsonMel GibsonMel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
as Justin McLeod - Nick StahlNick StahlNicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
as Charles E. 'Chuck' Norstadt - Margaret WhittonMargaret WhittonMargaret Whitton is an American stage, film, and television actress, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Whitton did her primary film work between 1986 and 1993. Her most visible roles were that of baseball team owner Rachel Phelps in Major League and its sequel Major League II, and as...
as Catherine Palin - Fay MastersonFay MastersonFay Masterson is an English film, television and video-game actress. She is also a voice actor.-Career:Masterson's performance career began as a dancer which she gave up at age 11 to attend the Brite Lites Academy in Eltham, Southeast London...
as Gloria Norstadt - Gaby HoffmannGaby HoffmannGabriella Mary "Gaby" Hoffmann is an American actress.-Birth:Hoffmann was born in New York City. Her mother, Viva , is an actress and writer and appeared in many of Andy Warhol's movies during the 1960s...
as Megan Norstadt - Geoffrey Lewis as Chief Wayne Stark
- Richard MasurRichard MasurRichard Masur is an American actor who has appeared in more than 80 movies during his career. From 1995-1999, he served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild . Masur sits on the Corporate Board of the Motion Picture & Television Fund.-Biography:Masur was born in New York City to a...
as Prof. Carl Hartley - Michael DeLuiseMichael DeLuiseMichael Robert DeLuise is an American actor, film director, and film producer.-Early life and career:DeLuise was born in Los Angeles, the second son of actor and comedian Dom DeLuise and actress Carol Arthur, and the brother of actor, writer, director Peter DeLuise and actor David DeLuise.DeLuise...
as Douglas Hall, Gloria's Boyfriend - Ethan PhillipsEthan PhillipsEthan Phillips is an American actor, playwright and author. He is known for television roles such as Star Trek: Voyager's Neelix and Benson's Pete Downey.-Personal life:...
as Todd Lansing - Jean De Baer as Mrs. Lansing
- Jack De Mave as Mr. Cooper
- VivaViva (Warhol superstar)Viva is an American actress, writer and a former Warhol superstar.-Career:She was born Janet Susan Mary Hoffmann in Syracuse, New York. She was given the name Viva by Andy Warhol before the release of her first film but later used her married last name . She appeared in several of Warhol's films...
as Mrs. Cooper - Justin Kanew as Rob Lansing
Production
The Man Without a Face was filmed in MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and marked the film debut of Nick Stahl
Nick Stahl
Nicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
. Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
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 film.
Treatment of sexuality
The film's treatment of sexuality between Justin McLeod and Chuck Norstadt differs from the book by Isabelle HollandIsabelle Holland
Isabelle Christian Holland was an author of children and adult fiction. Her father was the American Consul in Liverpool, England during WWII. She moved to America in 1940 due to the war. She wrote gothic novels, adult mysteries, romantic thrillers and many books for children and young adults...
. In the original novel, McLeod behaves in a way that could be interpreted as child grooming
Child grooming
Child grooming refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child, in order to lower the child's inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity with the child, or exploitation .Child grooming may be used to lure minors into...
, taking Chuck swimming and being affectionate to him. Chuck, meanwhile, seems to be attracted to McLeod as more than just as a father figure. There is one scene where it is strongly implied that McLeod sexually abuses
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
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
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
had been obscured in the film version.
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."
Urban legend
Around the time of the releases of Gibson's films The PatriotThe Patriot (2000 film)
The Patriot is a 2000 historical war film directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Robert Rodat, and starring Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper, and Heath Ledger. It was produced by the Mutual Film Company and Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures...
and Passion of the Christ, an internet rumour falsely attributed to radio commentator Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey Aurandt , better known as Paul Harvey, was an American radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He broadcast News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days, and at noon on Saturdays, as well as his famous The Rest of the Story segments. His listening audience was estimated, at...
claimed this film was based on an actual incident that happened to Gibson as a young man. It proved to be false.