A masterpiece (The Elephant Man (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	The Elephant Man (DVD)
Date:	12/09/09 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Emotional resonance

Disadvantages: None

note: also appears in part on Flixster and The Student Room

The Elephant Man is an exceptional film by David Lynch that's based on the very real life of Joseph "The Elephant Man" Merrick. He suffered from a disease believed to be Proteus syndrome, which has deformed his body, yet his resemblance to an elephant has caused him to be given the titular name. As he has aged, his deformities have only gotten worse, with his head being very large and his skin resembling that of an elephant. These also make it difficult for him to eat and even to breathe, tragically.

The film opens as a surgeon named Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) comes across him at a circus, and rescues him from his brutal owner. He takes him to a private wing of the hospital, but word still spreads about his condition, and people gawk at his condition without really understanding ot caring about his wellbeing.

Despite David Lynch being known for his grotesque and very strange films, this is a surprisingly heartfelt film that makes a real character of Merrick as someone who simply wants to be normal and regarded as a man. Lynch's monochrome photography gives the film a distinctly noir-ish feel also. My research also suggests that Lynch tried to represent the facts as they were supposed to be, and John Hurt's performance as the central character is wholly affecting and heartbreaking. Credit must also go to Hopkins as the kind doctor trying to help his ailment and allow him to integrate into society.

It's an intensely moving film that's also rather disturbing with its observations of human nature. The ending is utterly heartbreaking, and the famous scene where Merrick protests "I am a man!" is incredibly iconic.

A haunting, heart-rending tale of a severely disfigured man, told with Lynch's usual zest and flair. By its heart-breaking finale, this film truly made me feel something. Fantastic.

Summary: Simply fantastic