The Elephant Man

There are some movies that I seem to avoid. "The Elephant Man" is one of them, even though it is a film by my great favorite David Lynch. But I feel the same with Kubrick. I still haven't seen "Full Metal Jacket". But finally, I got around to watching "The Elephant Man". One of the few films that Lynch made on a studio commission. It is a disgusting film, not because of how John Merrick looks, but because his life is disgusting. And not because life itself is disgusting, but because people are disgusting. Well, that's just the way it is, I guess I'll have to accept it. A beautiful film about a man who was never regarded as a real human being. Lynch's own presence is felt in it, the way he presented himself. Not as strongly as in his personal films, but some scenes are simply his. Like the opening or other dreamlike sequences. I almost wonder how it would have turned out if he had more freedom. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful film. (02/25/2014)

I can't believe that this gem came from the same man who made that crap called Twin Peaks. Lynch tells a beautiful and human story in a charming and compelling way, and the camera work in particular is absolutely perfect. The public's fascination with a disfigured and severely tortured person could not have been better portrayed, and the brilliant character of the "elephant man" simply has to evoke feelings of pity and compassion, which underpin the whole atmosphere of the film. It's just a wonderful story and I don't know what else to highlight. (04/09/2012)

A humanistic journey into the soul of a man who looks like a monster but is beautiful on the inside, The Elephant Man features masterful work with the camera and lighting, as well as extraordinary acting performances. The director’s take on his subject matter is so sensitive that it seems as if he has fallen to his knees before it. A filmmaking event with one of the most beautiful endings ever seen on the screen. (02/17/2009)

The suggestive and oppressive atmosphere of a hostile city as a contrast to the soul of an internally beautiful person. Lynch occasionally goes beyond the discomfort of the audience in terms of human monstrosity and allows the defenseless individual to suffer too often, but in the end, it gets to me. Mainly because the final Adagio for strings is among the most melancholic scenes I have ever seen. (01/08/2006)

The breathtaking story of a man who, despite his intimidating exterior, was a much better and more genuine person(!) than many other "healthy" people. Eight Academy Award nominations is a strong number and it's a great shame that none of the nominations resulted in an award. For me, The Elephant Man has proven itself as a quality story, it has a plot that makes sense, and is fully comprehensible, unlike other films by David Lynch. The whole film is accompanied by a wonderful score, especially the opening and closing sequences. Shooting the film in black and white was a really smart move, as it managed to draw me deeper into the plot and made everything seem more believable and depressing. Last but not least, I have to mention the amazing acting performances by John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft. In short, a film that is at once a stellar acting tour de force and a technically proficient achievement that should surely have raked in the Oscar for make-up, which unfortunately wouldn’t be awarded until a year later. (10/30/2010)