gwnightscream Mel Gibson directs and stars in this 1993 drama based on the novel which co-stars Nick Stahl, Margaret Whitton and Geoffrey Lewis. This takes place in the late 1960's where we meet Charles Norstadt (Stahl), a troubled boy who wants to leave home and attend military school. Soon, he meets Justin Mcleod (Gibson), a former teacher with a scarred face who takes him under his wing, tutoring him and they become friends. The late, Whitton (Major League) plays Charles' mother, Catherine and Lewis (Tango & Cash) plays Police Chief, Stark. I've always liked this film and Gibson and Stahl are great together. I recommend this.

vincentlynch-moonoi I suppose that if you asked most people which was Mel Gibson's finest film, they would probably say "Braveheart" (although, that may be more due to the spectacle of that film). Of course, today Mel Gibson is out of favor, and perhaps deservedly so because of his rants and personal issues of the past decade or so (although as of this writing, he does seem to be regaining some credibility in Hollywood). But if you ask me which Gibson film is best, I would say "The Man Without A Face". In case you weren't aware, he not only starred in the film, but also directed it.As director, Gibson here was able to elicit 3 brilliant performances: his own, as a disgraced and disfigured teacher; an astounding performance as a troubled kid by then child-actor Nick Stahl; and an overlooked but wonderful performance as a not-well-adjusted mother by Margaret Whitton.From what I have read, this film diverges from the novel (same title) in that in the latter, a sexual relationship between the teacher and the student is implied, while in the film it is just the opposite. I would have to agree with Gibson's view that it's the appearance of possible impropriety that makes the film work. However, if you're expecting a truly happy ending, you're going to be disappointed. It's one of the films where you wish there had been an addendum taking place 5 or 10 years later.As a former teacher and principal, I can understand exactly how certain assumptions are made about teacher/student relationships. So it is rather heartbreaking here to see how Gibson's character is ostracized by something that had never actually taken place. On the other hand, Gibson's character here is not faultless; it is himself who has made himself the ultimate loner, and it's too bad that aspect of the story had not been explored just a bit more.Nevertheless, this is an incredible film, and I highly recommend it. It is a good reminder of just how fine an actor Mel Gibson was and why he was so successful for quite a run in American films.

AaronCapenBanner Mel Gibson both directs and stars in this moving film as Justin McLeod, a reclusive former teacher who was partially disfigured in a car accident ten years previous, and where a student was incinerated. Ever since, he has lived on the edge of town, an object of fear and ridicule, until one young man named Charles 'Chuck' Norstadt(Nick Stahl) befriends him with the aim of being tutored by him, since his grades need improvement, and Chuck is not afraid. However, his family is still suspicious, and Chuck will uncover the truth about McLeod that will change their lives forever.Mel Gibson does a fine job directing and acting, building a believable portrait of this scarred man who needs a second chance from a society that has wrongly judged him, and a young boy who will have his life turned around, leading to a most fitting finale.

Aaron1375 This was a well acted movie, nothing to grandeur to be sure but interesting enough. The film has a boy who actually wants to go to a boarding school which is kind of a nice change of pace, but he does not really have the grades to do so. Well lucky for him there is a recluse living nearby, and he just happens to be a teacher. Well he tries to get this guy's help, but the guy is rather hesitant to do so. He is disfigured thanks to an incident in the past and he is frowned upon by the community. He does take the boy in though as you knew he would have to do seeing as there would not be much of a movie if he did not and the two form a bit of a bond. Not really a big one where the guy makes up for the fact the boy is fatherless, but a student teacher one to be sure. Well something happens and the boy is caught at this mans house by some authorities and there is a big court scene and we learn why the man has lost half his face and why he is frowned upon by the community. Usually I would say this movie is trying to say people unjustly accuse people of things based on appearances and such, but it just does not work in this case as there was sufficient evidence and circumstances to believe the man could have done what he was accused of. Still, Mel Gibson turns in a good performance and it was somewhat entertaining to watch, just nothing that would top any favorite movie lists of mine.