The Elephant Man (1980)
No monsters, just man.
Presentation:
When you think of David Lynch, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t heartfelt medical drama. Yet for some, The Elephant Man could be one of his most touching works. It’s just really weird to have such a safe, almost commercially viable compassionate movie from the artist that bought us Eraserhead. There are gothic Victorian elements in this period piece, but this time around you’re watching Lynch for the story, rather than cinematography or style. Anthony Hopkins is a fine fit for his endearing role and I could barely recognize John Hurt under all the prosthetics. There are cartoonish elements to the writing, but it’s somewhat forgiven because of how naively Lynch presents this movie, feeling much older than 1980.
Conclusion:
I prefer watching Lynch for his artistic vision, but others might find this to be one of his most moving films. It’s not what I expect from him, and I don’t think you can recognize this being his work without the credits. Aside from the carnivalesque imagery, the typical surreal Lynchianisms are missing. But that might not matter when you have a such a compelling script that will making you rethink how you treat others. One of the more compassionate films in cinema.
Recommendations
I like to remember things my own way.