An enjoyable sob fest

Rating: 8/10 (25 October 2013)

This movie came to me as one of those films that was highly praised at the time but hasn't aged well, and of course I was wrong and ended up loving this film. Where to start, well perhaps in the style of it. I was surprised in the fact that this film was made in 1980, and is still in black and white. I'm pretty sure that this was an artistic decision by the director, and I applaud this idea. Sometimes throughout the film there are theses pans that I ever so enjoy, I'am in filmmaker right now and I do find the use of the camera quite refreshing. In case you don't what a pan is; it's not a cooking utensil, but it's a shot where the camera strolls along viewing a person, object, or scenery.
Now I'll say that this has some fine good performances I must say, From John Hurt as the Elephant man, even to the despicable carnie owner. John Hurt doe such an amazing job at delivering his lines, for instance when he saw that Anthony Hopkins had children, he said it with such joy and I felt it, i felt his interest in what others find meaningless. I have to say this may be one of my most favorite performances ever, just in general, It's that good. Anthony Hopkins does well, but admittedly here does at times feel like a nonentity, at times you may forget that he was in the film.
The security guard; at least that's what I thought he was, was so disgusting. I hated him so much, there's no human traits that I can find in him, he does some of the most horrible things to John Merrick (the Elephant man), teases him, shows him off to other people who tease and abuse him. Since this is based off a real person, I wonder if this really happened, and if it did I feel really bad right now. Finally the Carnie owner, at thought he wasn't going to be that big of a character, but the writing is so good that he's brought back in just the right time. When I see this person later in the film, I pity him. Using Merrick as a means to make a living; not a great one in fact, beating him and treating him like an animal. There's no redeeming qualities about this person, I don't care what state your in, you might as well be dead if your going to treat anyone like that.
Final thoughts, This is really great for being so sad, and I don't think it's really in your face about it either. It does have very happy moments, and they do those very well. The sad and heart wrenching moments hit there mark, and the performances are good; great in fact. So this is definitely a new favorite for me now.