The Elephant Man
1980 Directed by David Lynch
Synopsis
I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity.
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This was recommended to me by Dirk Hasselman and man...wow.
Going into this, I knew very little about it. I didn't even know it was directed by David Lynch, which as odd as it may sound this could very well be his most accesible film. All I knew was that it was about some man who looked like an elephant, or was an elephant; I wasn't sure going in. In either case, I went in with no expectations. Coming out, it's one of the best films I've ever seen.
The story basically asks the question: What does it mean to be beautiful? Is beauty internal or external? If it's external then is there a way for us to look at…
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The Elephant Man, much like The Straight Story, is a film that may initially seem at odds with David Lynch’s other work. Yet whilst it is undoubtedly one of his most moving and compassionate pieces of cinema there are still traces of the themes that he would explore in greater detail later in his career. By illuminating great humanity it casts a shadow over the darker aspects of society, the seedier side of show business (swapping Hollywood for the small scale carnivals and freak shows of London) and retaining Lynch’s surrealist and often nightmarish flourishes.
The film features two actors at the peak of their careers as well as a who’s who of supporting players from Anne Bancroft to John…
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David Lynch! Depravity! But also dignity! In other words, another family movie night -- with the 11-year-old, anyway. (Don't judge, it's rated PG.)
Less disturbing and significantly more emotional than I remembered it. Try making it through the tea scene where Hurt tells Hannah Gordon how he wishes he could find his mother -- "...so she could see me with such lovely friends here now; perhaps she could love me as I am. I've tried so hard to be good" -- without it getting a little dusty in the room. Not for all ages, but essential for all who can handle witnessing the darkness and light in humanity.
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It shouldn't come as a surprise that people can be really cruel, especially in such a difficult time/place as 19th century London. Therefore, David Lynch brings this story to life in a pretty straightforward way, showing all of the ways Merrick was mistreated and debased throughout his short and painful life. John Merrick was born with a number of physical deformities that earned him the nickname "The Elephant Man" and even though he physically had the ability to speak, no one bothered to help him use his voice. When Dr. Treves pays his caretaker to bring Merrick to his hospital, he assumes that he is an imbecile and almost writes him off. Slowly he starts to come around to the…
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The Elephant Man. A freak of nature; a monstrous creature exploited for shock value, circus entertainment and monetary gain to feed anyone's lust but his own. John Merrick truly lived an unimaginably horrible life. One so abhorrent, the thought of it alone provokes a sickening sense of dread. It is at times hard to accept the whole truth of man's inhumanity to man, but the story of the elephant man is forever a frightening testament to just that. How incredible then that David Lynch should take a story - and a main character - so unequivocally ugly and use it to create an extraordinary parable of beauty.
John Hurt is astounding in the lead role, even under make-up which reportedly…
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A tragic and sincere biopic of a man shunned by society because of his disfigurement. A young doctor (Anthony Hopkins) rescues him from the circus life and finds him a home in the hospital. This is a unique character study while also being a commentary on the different sides of humanity.
This is a lot less strange than "Eraserhead", it's more cohesive, it's more realistic and to me it's much better. This is still experimental with surreal or strange elements appearing every once and a while but it doesn't go all out with it. It manages to have a perfectly straight forward story while being slightly experimental. I enjoyed "Eraserhead" but I prefer when films don't sacrifice a narrative while…
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This truly heartbreaking story is expertly handled by Lynch, through it's beautiful blacks and whites The Elephant Man puts you thick in the middle of this amazing story of a heavily disfigured man struggling to find a place in a world that has no place for him. Interesting, heart felt and emotional - this film really inspires.
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A huge disappointment for me. While the film is absolutely gorgeous, with terrific cinematography, beautiful sets and fantastic makeup, the film is overflowing with clichés and is, frankly, fairly boring. The film plays like an average biopic crossed with a preachy "social acceptance" storyline and, frankly, I didn't care about what was going. I have not seen any of Lynch's other films, but I am aware of his reputation and surprised with how tame the film was. That being said, John Hurt is really brilliant in the titular role. But Anthony Hopkins seems to be sleepwalking through the whole film. He's not bad by any means- but he doesn't really bring anything to the part. I expected a lot from this, but it just didn't work outside of some beautiful looking shots.
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A truly beautiful film. David Lynch tones down his style to strengthen the story and allow for some very emotional scenes. John Hurt gives an exceptionally impressive performance, and is supported by some equally impressive performances. Just an incredible film.
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The Elephant Man. A freak of nature; a monstrous creature exploited for shock value, circus entertainment and monetary gain to feed anyone's lust but his own. John Merrick truly lived an unimaginably horrible life. One so abhorrent, the thought of it alone provokes a sickening sense of dread. It is at times hard to accept the whole truth of man's inhumanity to man, but the story of the elephant man is forever a frightening testament to just that. How incredible then that David Lynch should take a story - and a main character - so unequivocally ugly and use it to create an extraordinary parable of beauty.
John Hurt is astounding in the lead role, even under make-up which reportedly…
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The most un-Lynch like movie in David Lynch's repertoire.
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i.... am.... A MAN
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David Lynch! Depravity! But also dignity! In other words, another family movie night -- with the 11-year-old, anyway. (Don't judge, it's rated PG.)
Less disturbing and significantly more emotional than I remembered it. Try making it through the tea scene where Hurt tells Hannah Gordon how he wishes he could find his mother -- "...so she could see me with such lovely friends here now; perhaps she could love me as I am. I've tried so hard to be good" -- without it getting a little dusty in the room. Not for all ages, but essential for all who can handle witnessing the darkness and light in humanity.
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A film that will bring grown men to tears.
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it's not really a lynch-like film but there are attributes. the main thing to focus on really is the performances which are all solid