10 Films That Prove Disability Doesn't Hold You Back

6. Mask (1985)

What Mask does better than any film on this list is focus on disability in teenage years. The teens are a time when people discover sex and become obsessed with their image. For Rocky Dennis this obsession could have easily been one the weighed heavy on his shoulders. Born with a massive facial deformity, he was always going to stick out in the class photo. However, the film focuses on the trials and tribulations of school and teenage life, rather than dwell on the fact that Rocky is different. In some ways he is, but those are to do with his infectious personality. Eric Stoltz takes the character through very relatable circumstances such as falling in love and making friends. He is loved at home by his mother (Cher) and her biker-gang friends (Sam Elliott among others) take him on as one of their own. Though the film ends in Rocky's death, it is a celebration of his life as well as everybody's life. Life can be a beautiful journey filled with fond memories if you take it the right way - just like the protagonist does here. He gets along in life as a popular and friendly individual, regardless of his physical deformity. Add to that a killer soundtrack by Bob Seger (and Bruce Springsteen in the re-release) and you have a heart-warming tale of what it takes to fit in and be a teenager.