Review of The Elephant Man (1980) by Lucas Y — 31 Dec 2008

One of the most beautiful, well crafted films of the past 30 years. The Elephant Man is definitely your poster for "Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover". So many films have tried to emulate this (See Edward Scissordhands).

John Hurt plays John Meddick, a shy, gentle, loving man who's mother was mysteriously raped somehow by an elephant and is the result of the two! Sir. Tony Hopkins plays a curious doctor who finds him at a freak show and is completely awed by him. The two come together and form an unlikely friendship as we discover Meddick can read, write, draw, craft and speak well. Hopkins tries to get the elephant man back into society as he realizes it won't be easy, but the elephant man is all for it. It's absolutely moving watching him try to be a normal member of society, painful at times.

Altogether amazing film with incredible direction by David Lynch who put his Eraserhead touch on the film using black & white to create realism in the setting. The Elephant Man isn't for everyone and you'll definitely be saddened by the story and the mere beauty of the film, but it's totally worth a watch and was TERRIBLY snubbed for best picture by Ordinary People, a real turd.