The Man Without a Face

Name: The Man Without a Face
Genre: Drama
Released: August 25, 1993
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Mel Gibson

1993

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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The Man Without A Face

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: August 25, 1993 | PG-13

Starring: Mel Gibson

Summary: A boy, struggling to pass the entrance exam to his late father's alma mater and virtually ignored by his mother and two sisters, asks Justin Mcleod, a solitary ex-teacher with a tragic past, to tutor him. As the two apply themselves to the task at hand, they build a friendship with the power to heal the wounds of their past. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Mel Gibson

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 115 min

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Critic Reviews

Jay Carr

What Gibson gives us is a portrait of a man behaving gracefully under several kinds of pressure, some of it shamefully unfair. It's a solid acting achievement, and his directing, which never calls attention to itself, is right on the money, too. The Man Without a Face is an affecting evocation of a man of principle who teaches a boy what's important. [25 Aug 1993, p.53]

Staff (Not Credited)

Gibson has done a capable job of directing The Man Without a Face, showing little in the way of a personal style, but taking advantage of the skills brought to the project by his collaborators. [27 Aug 1993]

Richard Harrington

In The Man Without a Face, Mel Gibson reminds us that he doesn't need one-liners and explosive special effects to warrant our attention. Gibson, as actor and first-time director, is not only self-assured in these dual roles, but he seems relieved to let the drama carry him, rather than the reverse. The result is a movie that's both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Read full review

Scott Brown

Gibson stages the movie episodically, as a series of quiet actors' moments; his direction is scrupulous, tasteful, and, I'm afraid, rather sodden. By the end, he wrings a tear or two, but more from the story's sentimental outline than from anything he does to fill it in. Read full review

Gene Siskel

The story is full of good feelings, but as one sits there it all seems so predictable that you can't help but ask the point of it all. [27 Aug 1993, p.C]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The Man Without a Face marks a solidly crafted directorial debut for actor Mel Gibson, who approaches his melodramatic story with commendable restraint. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Usually, I am not so persnickety about such things, especially with first-timers, but the accumulation of mis-matched shots is so great that you have to wonder why some of the more experienced crew members weren't climbing the rafters to say “Whoa, Mel.” Read full review

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User Reviews

hooberdabber

Nov 28, 2010

Mel Gibson is a COMPLETE BADASS and I don't give a **** WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HIM. REMEMBER THE AXES IN THE PATRIOT? REMEMBER THOSE? HOLY. **** also in brave heart, MORE AXES? AND BROAD SWORDS? CLEARLY every thing Mel Gibson touches is A ****ING MASTERPIECE.

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

TylerDurden900

Jul 13, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Man Without A Face is a great drama directed by Mel Gibson. Gibson also stars in the movie. He lives isolated in a cabin outside of the town. He starts tutoring a young boy but he doesn't get permission from his parents. The child doesn't know about the accident, and other secrets come out. Overall this is a very smart drama with great acting from Mel Gibson and Nick Stahl.… Expand

14 of 15 users found this helpful141

DawdlingPoet

Nov 25, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film does have something of a charm about it - its one that tackles an important issue that affects both children and adults, that of prejudice, of course. The music used at times seemed a bit overly sentimental and could seem a little too sugary sweet for some - its certainly not an exclusively 'happy film' if you know what I mean. I could certainly understand Mr. McLeod's reticence to tutor Charles, particularly given the fact he (if but accidentally) overhears Charles making scathing comments, of course these are ultimately out of fear, certainly from his point of view. It is quite an emotive film - I found myself feeling quite disillusioned by Charles relatives and other adults in the local community, in terms of their gossipping and idle mocking of someone they clearly knew very little about.

Its quite moving, seeing the two of them build a friendship from mutual respect, with Mr. McLeod tutoring Charles - both of them getting different things from the friendship, I suppose. I like the fact that Charles, being probably about 10 years old, has that sort of ability to see above and beyond what adults see, even if/though it isn't obvious at first. Charles came across to me as being rather conflicted, in terms of trying to decide how to feel about this prevously very mysterious loner and about what he's ultimately wishing to achieve. I could also understand Charles desire to be taken on by a boarding school, to move on away from his somewhat insufferable family household - not that their awful siblings or parents but their if infrequent swiping and taunting at others. There is some poignant dialogue, I suppose what both of the main characters share in common is a form of isolation, the reasons for that being more obvious in one of them than the other. Again, though, it was the over reliance of melodramatic 'slushy' classical instrumental pieces played in the background during the more subdued, perhaps atmospheric scenes that was a bit of a put off for me - I couldn't help but feel there was something a bit too forced about that.

I think this is a good film in terms of raising valid questions, maybe making kids think about less (socially) active members of the local community, questioning whether to believe local gossip or even just in terms of not judging people by their looks and fearing someone who doesn't quite fit in to what we think people ought to look like. In this day and age, there can be so much emphasis put on looks - the cosmetic and plastic surgery business is a massive industry worldwide, making no doubt plenty of profits for companies who market/promote their products by feeding consumers paranoia and feelings of insecurity. I admit I can be very self conscious myself, in general terms and I've enjoyed watching programmes that challenge peoples perceptions of the importance of looks, such as 'Beauty & The Beast - Ugly Face of Prejudice' on Channel 4, which aired over recent years - this film covering similar ground, though maybe in a less direct way. It certainly covers abandonment and isolation possibly as much as the more obvious issues about looks and prejudice. Sometimes Mr. McLeod's actions seem quite swift and took me aback, making me perhaps feel the fear that Charles feels - once or twice I almost jumped myself. There are numerous plot twists present, some of which took me very much by surprise and I was left second guessing what the ultimate outcome would be. I found this to be a fairly engrossing film, if perhaps slightly unnecessarily sentimental but generally its pretty good and makes for a decent film to watch as a family, if you want to discuss the issues it contains. I suppose the only issue with that is that this isn't an urban set drama, rather being set in a small, close knit riverside community in America, rather than in a perhaps more regular town or city community. It should perhaps also be noted that the film is set in the late 1960s.

It could be argued that this is a particularly poignant film nowadays, given the amount of distrust and paranoia that can exist in terms of loner men who keep to themselves, or people who don't quite appear to fit in. Some parents may not like the way things are left but its certainly thought provoking. Maybe its a bit cheesy, I'd grant you that but overall and although I do have some mild criticisms of it, I can't help but think its a pretty decent (enough) film. I'd also say that the title of this film is slightly misleading, in that obviously he does have a face, just not one thats pleasing to the eye perhaps-though half of it is what might be classed as normal, with the facial disfigurement being almost precisely down one side of his face.

I'd recommend this film, as it covers some important themes and while it may be regarded as a bit preachy, it does make you think and the performances are decent, though perhaps if your critical it could be said Mel Gibson slightly over acts but it didn't spoil the film for me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Jun 29, 2018

This film is the debut of Mel Gibson as director, in a film where also it plays the main role, as a man who lives away from the other people due to his past and a serious deformation of his face, having by sole company and friendship a young boy, who asked him for private lessons in order toThis film is the debut of Mel Gibson as director, in a film where also it plays the main role, as a man who lives away from the other people due to his past and a serious deformation of his face, having by sole company and friendship a young boy, who asked him for private lessons in order to become a military. The film gives a very interesting message about the differences between people, the prejudices and the distorted way we sometimes look at people who are simply different from us. This is the great moral beauty of the film, which shows us that ugly faces may not mean evil intentions, and that we should not judge people without knowing them. Gibson is great in the main character, filling the film with his withdrawn personality and his mysterious past. Although the film isn't excellent, its a good exercise in direction of a multifaceted actor.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KieranF.

Dec 7, 2008

No more then a TV-movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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