Unmissable...and heartbreaking

Rating: 8/10 (4 March 2014)

A biopic of one of the most tragic people to ever exist, THE ELEPHANT MAN is a heartbreaking example of cinema at its finest. It's a film that uses the subject matter at hand to explore the human condition in all of its forms, so we get to see characters who are empathetic and selfish and everything between at various stages.
This utterly poignant film - and believe me, you'll need to have tissues to hand when watching - is directed by David Lynch, who may just be the most obscure choice for a director that there could have been. Nonetheless, aside from a couple of book-ending arty shots, this is very well directed indeed and Freddie Francis's crisp black-and-white photography is something to behold.
As with all good films, much of the success comes down to the actors. John Hurt is the real star here in a moving role that even outdoes his one in 10 RILLINGTON PLACE. He's unrecognisable throughout, and doesn't put a foot wrong. Anthony Hopkins is also very good, although as he commented his character is a little dull and doesn't have too much depth. There's also a nice bastardly turn from Michael Elphick, but really this is a film where everybody from the cast and crew is on top form.