Review of The Elephant Man (1980) by Robert P — 31 Aug 2009

Singular vision and magnificent fable-making on life, love and civilisation. The movie concentrates on the harsher side of life and the darker corners of the human psyche. Conjurs us a nightmarish image of newly industrial Vicotorian London. Deals with cruelty and voyeurism as John Merrick is placed by society somehwhere between being an exhibit and a human. Lynch. of course, plays with the audience with skill as he flirts with silouette shots and graphic physical descriptions of Merrick before revealing him to the viewing public. Another major achievement in this film is that the director restrains Antony into giving a brilliant and understated performance. Witness the reaction of Antony on first seeing Merrick.

Great to see that assimilation comes through Merrick viewing a spectacle and understanding it as non real. The only blips in this picture are a slight tendency to over-victimize John Merrick, portraying him as a simple figure almost child-like in his drive for recognition and love. Further, and as part of this process, Merrick is portrayed as a courageous fighter when in fact he is only responding to events rather than driving them. Complex political arguments need playing out here, but otherwise brilliant realisation of a significant story.