RATBOY

US, 1986, 105 minutes, Colour.
Sondra Locke, Sharon Baird, Robert Townsend, Gerrit Graham, Louie Anderson.
Directed by Sondra Locke.

Ratboy is an odd story - seemingly a mixture of Mask and Elephant Man with E.T. It was directed by Sondra Locke for Clint Eastwood's company. It is the story of a mutant living in a Los Angeles tip, and a brash and enterprising young window-dresser pretending to be a journalist and promoting him for her own gains. She also has eccentric brothers (played by Gerritt Graham and comedian Louie Anderson). Comedian Robert Townsend also has a role as the black man who helps them. There is a press conference and the Ratboy is horrified by his experiences in modern Los Angeles. He is finally a victim of police brutality - but escapes.

On paper the story might sound interesting - but it doesn't sustain this film, the experiences of Eugene the rat boy in Los Angeles don't seem to amount to much at all in terms of comment on contemporary society. An oddity.

1. The impact of the film? The rat boy as an alien type creature? Handicapped creature in the contemporary world?

2. Los Angeles, city and environment, atmosphere? Songs and score?

3. The plausibility of the plot? The Ratboy and his origins, the book from his mother, life in the tip? Nicky and her response? His experience of Los Angeles life and its glitz? His change of heart and Nicky's change of heart?

4. The introduction at the tip, the kids, the lights, Ratboy and his fear, the two sleazy kidnappers? The appearance of Ratboy, his being taken, held captive?

5. Ratboy and his origins, his name Eugene, fears? The treatment by Nicky and her brothers? Dressing, communicating, learning? His enjoying dancing? Social life? His fears, on the skyscraper ledges? Running away? With Manny in the car? The build-up to the press conference, his training for his speech? Television, interviewers? The escape, the police chasing? His being shot? Escaping through the hole, hiding in the tree, signalling to Nicky? Going off for his own life?

6. Nicky and her brashness, pretence, pushiness with the kidnappers, her deal, training him, with Manny, her brothers, the socials? The build-up to the press conference, the introduction? The chase, Nicky being hurt, her change of heart? Her understanding what she had done?

7. Manny, his help, the comic style, the car rides, friends?

8. The awkward brothers, their helping their sister, with Eugene, friendship, hurting him, saving him?

9. The press, the curiosity, the press conference? The police, their quickness with guns?

10. An enjoyable portrait of strange creature? of exploitation? A fable about the pressures of life in the contemporary world?