The Evils That Men Do

Rating: 8/10 (8 January 2020)

Years ago, I saw the movie "Mask" about a boy named Rocky Dennis who had a congenital disease that disfigured his face. It was a touching movie and a bit sad. Elephant Man was more touching and sadder.
The Elephant Man in this movie was a man named John Merrick (John Hurt). He was a circus attraction for the financial benefit of the proprietor and the morbid curiosity of the paying viewers. That is where Dr. Frederick (Anthony Hopkins) found him and took an instant interest in him. Dr. Frederick took him from the circus to care for him at London Hospital. But, were Dr. Frederick's actions altruistic or just as selfish as the circus proprietor?
That's what ate at Dr. Frederick and it is something that has probably plagued everyone of us at some time or another. How many of us fixed our intentions upon doing a noble deed then reaped some worldly benefit from it just to then be conflicted about what we appreciated more from the honorable action. The heart is like that-- it sways to and fro and it takes our wants and desires with it.
Naturally, in "The Elephant Man" we see unspeakable cruelty from incorrigible profiteers and ignorant jerks. It was something he would never be free from as long as he lived. But we also got to see true love and kindness that warms the heart and restores hope in humanity.