Review of The Elephant Man (1980) by Calib M — 21 Feb 2016

People might call this movie emotionally manipulative, I call this movie emotionally effective. This is hands down the saddest movie anyone will ever watch. Each and every single scene is so emotionally loaded it almost feels like you're suffocating, you might think i'm exaggerating, i'm not. This is just a 2 hour movie but when I was halfway through I thought i'd witnessed a 3 and a half hour movie. This movie is definitely not easy to watch, neither is it for the weak-hearted, nor is it a movie you'd want to pop in on a friday night, this is an extremely emotional, difficult to bear movie going experience. This doesnt seem like a recommendation, but it is, this is a one of a kind movie that is a must watch for everyone, because this is probably the most special biographical film ever made. It's sad, emotional, and aggravating, yet beautiful and special. This movie makes you hate humanity, but love the humane.

From the very first time you see John Merrick, you feel for him. On first hand he looks like a monster, but soon after you very easily are starting to feel for him, and everything that happens around him. This movie is a life lesson for everyone, it makes clear that the outside of a human being is just lifeless sack of flesh and skin surrounding an indestructible polished bright diamond, that is one's soul.

The best moment in the film is where John has been chased around the train station after being recognized as The Elephant Man, then forced into a corner by a hurd of people, John yells out with all of his power and will: ''I'm not a monster, I'm not an elephant, i'm a human being.... I am a MAN!'', this is the breaking point for every audience member, doesn't matter how tough you are, after everything you've witnessed alongside John and Frederick, you will cry.

This movie left me emotionally and physically wrecked after seeing it, and when a movie can achieve such a level of movement in me, it deserves its spot on my top 50.

(Note: After crying 3 times at the half way point of the movie, I lost count.).

The Elephant Man is a movie experience that's indescribable.