Ratboy is a 1986 American 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.

Ratboy
Cover of VHS release
Directed by	Sondra Locke
Written by	Rob Thompson
Produced by	Fritz Manes
Starring	Sondra Locke Robert Townsend Christopher Hewett Bill Maher Larry Hankin Sydney Lassick Gerrit Graham Louie Anderson Sharon Baird John Witherspoon
Cinematography	Bruce Surtees
Edited by	Joel Cox
Music by	Lennie Niehaus
Production company	Malpaso Productions
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	October 17, 1986 (1986-10-17) (U.S.)
Running time	104 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Ratboy had a troubled production[2] and was both a critical and commercial failure.[3] However, it received better reviews in European countries, especially France, winning the Deauville American Film Festival.^{[citation needed]}

Synopsis

A former window dresser named Nikki overhears mention of a mysterious "Ratboy" named Eugene 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, Eugene wishes to avoid public attention.

In the end, the police are searching for Eugene's body, as Nikki stands by, saddened, until a crystal in her jacket pocket begins to glow. Eugene has survived the police gunfire and is hiding atop a tree, signaling to Nikki. Nikki is happy that Eugene is alive. Eugene then flees as the police continue searching for him.

Cast

• Sondra Locke as Nikki Morrison
• Sharon Baird as Eugene / Ratboy (as S.L. Baird)
• 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
• Gordon Anderson as the voice of Ratboy
• Tim Thomerson as Alan Reynolds (uncredited)

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

Awards

Sondra Locke received a 1987 Razzie nomination for Worst Actress, losing to Madonna for Who's That Girl.

References

External links

• Ratboy at IMDb
• Ratboy at Rotten Tomatoes

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