Lynch rehabilitates b&w movies

Rating: 9/10 (14 August 2005)

Plot: Exploited by Mr. Bytes as a circus-animal, severely disfigured John Merrick (John Hurt)  the Elephant Man - falls into the hand of a caring doctor (Anthony Hopkins), in London Hospital, that refuses to hand him back to his former self-proclaimed "owner". Then begins the rebirth of a social outcast ostracized from his harsh childhood, but with above-average intelligence and a damageless soul. As he begins to learn to live a relatively normal life, encounters people from the high society and form friendship with Ms. Kendal, a theater star, Bytes profits from a night security breach to take him back. But soon, physically exhausted, he cannot perform in circus anymore and is freed by his animal circus peers soon to end up in the hospital he had earlier left. As he is dying, Merrick attends Kendal's performance in the lodge and is the beneficiary of a standing ovation. Back home, he is ready to die.
Comment: In this black & white two-hours-long movie, David Lynch's true story based movie explores the human condition, and the value the 19th century society grants to human dignity. Moved by this orphan in search of acceptance and love, we cannot refrain from pitying this unlucky soul. This movie places us in front of the mirror, and asks us whether we do more good than the people we despise; whether nobler feelings and motive leads to better results, i.e. whether bringing Merrick to the hospital then become attraction for the high society is better than leaving him entertaining the low society in circus. Few can boast it.