Ratboy (1986)

"Eugene... needs... help." - Ratboy, aka Eugene

A deformed child tries to find his place in the world.
Starring: Sondra Locke, Robert Townsend, Sharon Baird, Gerrit Graham and Louie Anderson

Link to IMDB

Nikki

On the outskirts of Los Angeles there's an urban myth about a little "ratboy" living at the dump among the vermin and filth, and the story piques the interest of local media when two rednecks claim to have captured him alive.
When Nikki Morrison hears about this, she decides to pose as a reporter and tricks the bumbling hicks into letting her take care of ratboy. She seems to genuinely want to help the little guy, but more importantly she is hoping to make herself some money from the lucrative story.

Now Nikki has made herself a strange little friend. Ratboy (who eventually chooses the name Eugene,) can't speak very well, but he seems intelligent and happy to finally find someone that isn't repulsed by him. With help from her brothers, Billy and Omer, Nikki starts planning a press conference, talk shows and movie contracts. Ratboy might be hard to control and barely civilized, but Nikki's sure that he's going to make her rich!


After being forced to face the stresses of fancy Hollywood parties and the media, Ratboy proves he can't handle all the attention, so he escapes into the city streets. Afraid and lost, he is rescued by a streetwise guy named Manny. He's the first person that treats Ratboy normal, more or less, but when Nikki offers Manny a job, he also gets caught up in the promise of fame and fortune.
Well, shit... does anyone in this movie care about Ratboy!?

All that Ratboy wants is a place to call home and the love of Nikki, but no one cares about that. Everyone is busy thinking about themselves and their money, leaving poor Ratboy feeling trapped and used.
He eventually decides to escape Los Angeles for good, but will Nikki be able to redeem herself before he vanishes into the wilderness?

"Well of course you're ugly... But maybe you got soul, too." - Manny

Manny                                     Omar                                Billy

I've been waiting years to watch this movie, and it was a huge letdown. The best word to describe it would be uninspired. It focuses on a jumble of despicable caricatures and their greedy, manipulative ways, instead of exploring the curious themes and ideas of what the Ratboy character is all about. There's some cornball comedic moments but overall this is a rather pessimistic, anti-dramatic story that's trying, and failing, to be heartfelt and sincere. The movie does try, so it's not a complete flop.

There's surprisingly little charm here, and except for some of the fun energy that Manny brings it's a slog of aimlessness that has rightfully been mostly forgotten.
At least the makeup effects are well done, created by the great Rick Baker.

Be sure not to miss:
- Ratboy farts are unhip.
- Quite a few surprising cameos, most notable are Jon Lovitz, Sydney Lassick, and Tim Thomerson.
- Rats enough!

Internet review:
"Who made this? Who wants me to be this depressed?" - JPernisek

Should I watch it?
Not really.

Where can I find it?
Links here.

Ratboy gets...