Captures the heart

Rating: 10/10 (22 May 2012)

"The Elephant Man" is not a regular film. It achieves something that not all movies are able to achieve. It gets under your skin, makes you feel powerless as the audience and leaves you wishing you could go back in time to the 19th century and be a source of comfort, a friend, a companion to John Merrick, cruelly termed 'The Elephant Man'.
The film, based on a true story, shows us the life and ordeal of John Merrick (John Hurt), a 21 year old man whose face is severely disfigured as a result of a progressive disease, so much so, that he has to wear a hood and a cap when he's in public. He earns his living for himself and his "owner" by being displayed at various freak shows. It's clear that everybody wants to see the deformed man, but, nobody wants to understand him, rescue him and treat him like a normal person. But that's where Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) comes in. He discovers him in one of the freak shows and takes him to his hospital to look after him, thus giving him a second chance at life. From then on, John Merrick is introduced to a new world. Watching John's life changing is truly moving and touching and makes you realize that people like him should not be shunned upon but instead, deserve to be loved and cared for because that's all they really want and need. The film works on all levels with excellent acting and direction and a fine screenplay.
I will say that the movie is disturbing and difficult to watch at times but I won't say that it isn't for everyone, because everyone's eyes should be opened to the inexplicable realities of life, which is portrayed so well in this film. It captures so wonderfully the life of John Merrick and reminds you how grateful we should be for a normal life.
Bottomline: The Elephant Man is one of those rare films that cannot and should not be missed.