Ratboy

1986 film by Sondra Locke

October 17, 1986 (1986-10-17) (U.S.)

Running time

104 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

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

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

Sondra Locke as Nikki Morrison
Sharon Baird as Soma Julius Cruz / Ratboy (as S.L. Baird)
- Gordon Anderson as the voice of Eugene/Ratboy
Robert Townsend as Manny
Christopher Hewett as Acting Coach
Larry Hankin as Robert Jewell
Sydney Lassick as Lee 'Dial-A-Prayer'
Gerrit Graham as Billy Morrison
Louie Anderson as Omer Morrison
Billie Bird as Psychic
John Witherspoon as Heavy
Charles Bartlett as Catullus Cop
Tim Thomerson as Alan Reynolds (uncredited)

Marketing

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

Release

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

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.^[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

Sondra Locke received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.

References

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