Gentle, moving tragedy

Rating: 8/10 (9 April 2010)

Rather a surprise is this gentle, moving tragedy from director David Lynch. From the simple screenplay based on Frederick Treves' novel "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences", comes the heart-rending tale of a critically deformed man who is rescued from a cruel "master" by a compassionate surgeon.
The film features some sublime cinematography and a melodic musical score. Lynch controls and directs his film beautifully.
Undoubtedly the strongest point of the film is the acting though. John Hurt, though virtually unrecognisable, is simply amazing as the intelligent, warm-hearted and gifted man trapped in a physically horrendous body. Anthony Hopkins is wonderfully understated as the benevolent doctor, and Freddie Jones is superb as the drunken ne'er-do-well who has cashed in on the Elephant Man's misfortune. In support is a touching Anne Bancroft. Simply one of the most poignant and brilliantly acted films of that time.
Monday, April 5, 1999 - Video