“Ratboy” is a 1986 film about a half-man, half-rat creature who becomes a media sensation. The movie explores themes of exploitation and acceptance. Ratboy is like a freak show attraction, but deep down he just wants to be loved for who he is. However, people find him repulsive and treat him like vermin. Despite his desire for acceptance, Ratboy eventually realizes that fame comes at a cost and that true happiness is found in genuine human connections.
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Review
When it comes to movies, there are those that make you laugh, cry, and even think deeply about life. But then there’s Ratboy – a movie that leaves you with so many questions buzzing in your head. Released in 1986, Ratboy is one movie that people talk about till date for its unique storyline and unconventional approach to storytelling.
Written and directed by Sondra Locke, the movie follows the story of a young man named “Ratboy” (S.L.), born with physical deformities and rejected by society. The only friends he has are rats who he lives with in the sewers of Los Angeles. When his existence is discovered by a tabloid journalist named Nikki Morrison (Locke), she sees him as her ticket to fame and fortune.
The plot could have easily turned into a cliché tale of exploitation and redemption but Locke managed to add layers of complexity to Ratboy’s story which left viewers wondering about how they felt about him. Was he human? Or was he just a freak? And why did Nikki care about him? The decision to make Ratboy’s appearance ambiguous only added to this effect.
The cast of the film included various known faces at the time such as Christopher Hewett, Robert Pastorelli, William Newman but it was Sondra Locke who held the film together as both director and actress. Her performance as Nikki Morrison was brilliant, capturing both the ambition of her character as well as her gradual change in feelings towards Ratboy.
However, despite the uniqueness of its storyline, Ratboy didn’t garner much attention from critics nor audiences alike upon its release. It grossed only $23500 at the box office against an estimated budget of $4 million which is why many consider it a commercial failure.
Nevertheless, decades after its release Ratboy has garnered somewhat of a cult following and even gained national attention thanks to being parodied on Saturday Night Live in 1997. It’s a movie that sticks with you and begs for repeated viewings, if only to understand the nuances of its themes.
One can’t talk about Ratboy without mentioning the cinematography. The film was shot by Bruce Surtees, who used an array of techniques to capture the essence of Ratboy’s world. The scenes set in the sewers are dark and ominous, while those set outside are bright and garish – resembling a carnival.
The use of music in Ratboy is also noteworthy, particularly its main theme composed by Lennie Niehaus. It’s a haunting melody that plays through various scenes and leaves a lasting impression on viewers.
Ratboy may not have won any awards but it did receive some backlash from audiences who accused the film of being insensitive towards individuals with deformities. However, Locke claimed that her intention was to make people aware of society’s obsession with fame and how that can easily lead to exploitation.
In conclusion, Ratboy is a strange movie that defies categorization. It’s a movie that makes you feel uncomfortable and yet fascinated at the same time. And it’s easy to see why it hasn’t left the minds of viewers decades after its release – it’s simply unforgettable. As Sondra Locke herself once said, “People were so busy deciding whether or not they liked it or hated it that they forgot to think about why they felt what they felt.”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 104
- Release : 1986-10-17
- Genre : Comedy, Crime, Drama
- Cast : Sondra Locke as Nikki Morrison, Robert Townsend as Manny, Larry Hankin as Robert Jewell, Sydney Lassick as Lee ‘Dial-A-Prayer’, Gerrit Graham as Billy Morrison
- Crew : Clint Eastwood as Executive Producer, Lennie Niehaus as Original Music Composer, David Valdes as Associate Producer, Joel Cox as Editor, Bruce Surtees as Director of Photography
- Popularity 3.888
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Malpaso Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures
- Summary : A failed window dresser exploits a being with rat-like features in an effort to make money.
- Tagline : it’s so hard to be different…
