A heartbreaking and horrible story, beautifully told

Rating: 9/10 (30 April 2010)

Who could possibly have thought that the young director David Lynch would have made a film like The Elephant Man? The director's only previous feature film was the utterly bizarre Eraserhead. There are similarities or course – the grotesque subject matter, some surreal details and the black and white presentation – but it's the differences that are so incredible. Unlike Eraserhead, The Elephant Man is a character-driven biopic with a clear narrative and powerful emotional core. It has a string of world-class British actors and strong production values. It certainly seems like producer Mel Brooks took an incredibly risky gamble in his choice of director for this project. History has shown, however, that it was a gamble, to Brooks's eternal credit, that paid off handsomely. The young avant-garde director proved himself to be far more than a one-note merchant; he in fact showed that he was an artist of incredible skill, capable of not only astonishing experimental weirdness but also linear story-telling of the highest calibre.
Lynch handles the heartbreaking story of the famous 19th century circus freak John Merrick with both delicate care and unflinching disgust. His approach avoids saccharine sentiment in favour of a more genuine emotional approach. Not only does he ask us to pity Merrick and despise those that abuse him but he also actively invites us to look at this appallingly deformed man. So we as an audience are confronted with questions of ourselves, as we too want to see 'the terrible Elephant Man'. Dr Treeves himself wrestles with such demons – is he using Merrick too? As the film develops we share the character's emotional responses to John Merrick from outright disgust to warm affection. There is something of a build up to us actually seeing Merrick; we catch little glimpses and details, until he is revealed in a simple shot that is simultaneously shocking and understated.
The acting is universally of the highest standard. John Hurt has been given much deserved praise for his portrayal of the title character but Anthony Hopkins as Dr Treeves is at least as good. Hopkins gives a perfectly pitched performance in a quite complex role that is extremely believable. Visually and aurally the film is beautifully conceived. The black and white photography from Freddie Francis is exquisite and the accompanying hum of machinery not only puts us in the world of the Industrial Revolution but also is a hallmark of Lynch in general. The director does keep his usual eccentric flourishes mainly in check but when he does add surreal imagery – such as the opening elephant attack and Merrick's dream – the imagery is highly original and adds immeasurably to the final whole.
The Elephant Man comes highly recommended to everyone who loves cinema. It's one of the most genuinely moving stories ever committed to film by one of the indisputable masters of the medium.