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'''''Ratboy''''' is a 1986 American [[drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by and starring [[Sondra Locke]].<ref name="Ratboy">{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/87719/Ratboy/full-credits.html|title=Ratboy|work=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|location=[[Atlanta]]|publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] ([[Time Warner]])|accessdate=July 10, 2016}}</ref> The make-up effects were designed by [[Rick Baker (makeup artist)|Rick Baker]]. The film's scenario is at times [[Comics|comic]] or serious, and one of its peculiarities is that there never is any explanation for Ratboy's origin and existence as a human-rat hybrid.
'''''Ratboy''''' is a 1986 American [[drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by and starring [[Sondra Locke]].<ref name="Ratboy">{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/87719/Ratboy/full-credits.html|title=Ratboy|work=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|location=[[Atlanta]]|publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] ([[Time Warner]])|access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref> The make-up effects were designed by [[Rick Baker (makeup artist)|Rick Baker]]. The film's scenario is at times [[Comics|comic]] or serious, and one of its peculiarities is that there never is any explanation for Ratboy's origin and existence as a human-rat hybrid.


''Ratboy'' had a troubled production<ref>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-19-ca-17164-story.html {{Bare URL inline|date=November 2021}}</ref> and was both a critical and commercial failure.<ref>https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ratboy</ref> However, it received better reviews in [[Europe]]an countries, especially [[France]], winning the [[Deauville American Film Festival]].
''Ratboy'' had a troubled production<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-19-ca-17164-story.html|title=LOCKE EXERCISES CONTROL OVER 'RATBOY,' HER CAREER|date=19 August 1986|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> and was both a critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ratboy|title=Ratboy|access-date=18 November 2021|website=Rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> However, it received better reviews in [[Europe]]an countries, especially [[France]], winning the [[Deauville American Film Festival]].


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
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== Reception ==
== Reception ==
The film has a 'rotten' rating of 25% on Rotten Tomatoes. [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it two out of four stars, calling the film 'perplexing' and criticizing the film's unique premise devolving into a more standard narrative.<ref>https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ratboy-1986</ref> Janet Maslin of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film 'disorganized', criticizing the script and directing choices of Locke.<ref name=NYT>{{cite web|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=Ratboy (1986) SCREEN: 'RATBOY'|authorlink=Janet Maslin|author=Maslin, Janet|date=October 17, 1986|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0DE2DB143CF934A25753C1A960948260|accessdate=July 10, 2016|location=[[New York City]]}}</ref> On the opposite end, Michael Wilmington of ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' was more positive, calling the film, 'Grimm Brothers-style, mixing wonder with rough edges, undertones of pain beneath the fantasy.'<ref>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-20-ca-8045-story.html {{Bare URL inline|date=November 2021}}</ref>
The film has a 'rotten' rating of 25% on Rotten Tomatoes. [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it two out of four stars, calling the film 'perplexing' and criticizing the film's unique premise devolving into a more standard narrative.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ratboy-1986|title=Ratboy movie review &amp; film summary (1986) &#124; Roger Ebert|first=Roger|last=Ebert|website=Rogerebert.com|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> Janet Maslin of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film 'disorganized', criticizing the script and directing choices of Locke.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=Ratboy (1986) SCREEN: 'RATBOY'|authorlink=Janet Maslin|author=Maslin, Janet|date=October 17, 1986|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A0DE2DB143CF934A25753C1A960948260|access-date=July 10, 2016|location=[[New York City]]}}</ref> On the opposite end, Michael Wilmington of ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' was more positive, calling the film, 'Grimm Brothers-style, mixing wonder with rough edges, undertones of pain beneath the fantasy.'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-20-ca-8045-story.html|title=MOVIE REVIEW : 'RATBOY' SWIMS AGAINST MAINSTREAM|date=20 March 1987|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref>


===Awards===
===Awards===
Sondra Locke received a [[1987 Golden Raspberry Awards|1987 Razzie]] nomination for Worst Actress, losing to [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] for ''[[Who's That Girl (1987 film)|Who's That Girl]]''.
Sondra Locke received a [[1987 Golden Raspberry Awards|1987 Razzie]] nomination for Worst Actress, losing to [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] for ''[[Who's That Girl (1987 film)|Who's That Girl]]''.


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}



Revision as of 14:47, 18 November 2021

Ratboy
Cover of VHS release
Directed bySondra Locke
Written byRob Thompson
Produced byFritz Manes
StarringSondra Locke
Robert Townsend
Christopher Hewett
Bill Maher
Larry Hankin
Sydney Lassick
Gerrit Graham
Louie Anderson
Sharon Baird
John Witherspoon
Ross White
CinematographyBruce Surtees
Edited byJoel Cox
Music byLennie Niehaus
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • October 17, 1986 (1986-10-17) (U.S.)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Ratboy is a 1986 American drama film directed by and starring Sondra Locke.[1] The make-up effects were designed by Rick Baker. The film's scenario is at times comic or serious, and one of its peculiarities is that there never is any explanation for Ratboy's origin and existence as a human-rat hybrid.

Ratboy had a troubled production[2] and was both a critical and commercial failure.[3] However, it received better reviews in European countries, especially France, winning the Deauville American Film Festival.

Synopsis

A failed window dresser named Nikki overhears of a mysterious "Ratboy" named Eugene while dumpster diving at a dump. After finding and befriending him, Nikki makes several attempts at exploiting his uniqueness to the public. At the same time, Eugene wishes to avoid public attention.

In the end, the police are searching for Eugene's body, as Nikki stands saddened until a crystal in her jacket pocket begins to shine. Eugene had survived the gunshot and is hiding on top of a tree and signaling Nikki. Nikki is happy that Eugene is alive. Eugene then begins to flee as the police continue searching for him.

Cast

Reception

The film has a 'rotten' rating of 25% on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it two out of four stars, calling the film 'perplexing' and criticizing the film's unique premise devolving into a more standard narrative.[4] Janet Maslin of The New York Times called the film 'disorganized', criticizing the script and directing choices of Locke.[5] On the opposite end, Michael Wilmington of The Los Angeles Times was more positive, calling the film, 'Grimm Brothers-style, mixing wonder with rough edges, undertones of pain beneath the fantasy.'[6]

Awards

Sondra Locke received a 1987 Razzie nomination for Worst Actress, losing to Madonna for Who's That Girl.

References

  1. ^ "Ratboy". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  2. ^ "LOCKE EXERCISES CONTROL OVER 'RATBOY,' HER CAREER". Los Angeles Times. 19 August 1986. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Ratboy". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  4. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Ratboy movie review & film summary (1986) | Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  5. ^ Maslin, Janet (October 17, 1986). "Ratboy (1986) SCREEN: 'RATBOY'". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  6. ^ "MOVIE REVIEW : 'RATBOY' SWIMS AGAINST MAINSTREAM". Los Angeles Times. 20 March 1987. Retrieved 18 November 2021.