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Ratboy

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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
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 comedy-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.

Principal photography started on September 6, 1985, and ended in October 1985. Ratboy had a troubled production[2] and was both a critical and commercial failure.[3]

Synopsis

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

Cast

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Marketing

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The Los Angeles Times shaved six years off Sondra Locke's age in an article to promote the film.[2]

Release

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The film was given a limited opening in only two cities, Los Angeles and New York.[4]

Reception

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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.[5] Janet Maslin of The New York Times called the film 'disorganized', criticizing the script and directing choices of Locke.[6] 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.'[7]

Awards

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Sondra Locke received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.

References

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  1. ^ "Ratboy". Turner Classic Movies. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "LOCKE EXERCISES CONTROL OVER 'RATBOY,' HER CAREER". Los Angeles Times. August 19, 1986. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "Ratboy". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  4. ^ "'RATBOY': SNARED IN THE STUDIO TRAP". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 1987.
  5. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Ratboy movie review & film summary (1986) | Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  6. ^ Maslin, Janet (October 17, 1986). "Ratboy (1986) SCREEN: 'RATBOY'". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  7. ^ "MOVIE REVIEW : 'RATBOY' SWIMS AGAINST MAINSTREAM". Los Angeles Times. 20 March 1987. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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