Allan Watched "The Elephant Man"
This is an entry from the Allan Watches Movies: Best Picture Project, where Allan will rewatch nominated movies from each year and choose who actually should have won. The Elephant Man (1980) received eight Academy Awards nominations, including Best Picture.
A dark and feverish look at the life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man out-acts its somewhat benign writing, while successfully showing the potential of the human spirit.
Gut Feeling Review
The Elephant Man has very clear strengths and blatant weaknesses. Its strengths stand within the tremendous performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, and the equally breathtaking visuals captured in the film. Hurt’s ability to show so much emotion inside a heavily weighted and stiff mask is something to watch. He basically is only able to express himself through one eye and limit movements, and despite the restrictions you feel the pain, torture, and sometimes bliss that John Merrick (based on Joseph Merrick’s life) endures every day. Hurt’s delivery of some of the film’s most famous lines, when Merrick finds his voice and is able to speak for and defend himself, evokes so much pain and somber happiness.
Hopkins, who plays the gentle and caring Dr. Frederick Treves, has many beautiful moments throughout the film. The one that stands out to me is when he first sees Merrick, who at this point is a main attraction of a Freak Show in London. The choice by Lynch (more on him in a second) to stay focused on Hopkins’ face for what feels like a lifetime, was a brilliant success. Hopkins, without making a sound, tells a whole story with his eyes. The horror, sadness, and desire to help a human in immense pain pours from his face and it is one of the most powerful images of the film.
So how about David Lynch? This is Lynch’s follow-up to Eraserhead and feels more like a standard story being told with some Lynch sprinkled in, as opposed to the twisted genius that we see in the rest of his works. The score and direction of the film are very good, with two very Lynch-ian scenes that bookend the film, but in all it feels very reserved in comparison. The writing is also a little confounding. The subject matter is so complex and would have seemingly multiple aspects and angles to inspect, but the story is rather simple. Merrick is saved. Merrick is lost. Merrick is saved again. There are certainly powerful moments woven in between, but when the conclusion (as satisfying as it is) is reached, I was surprised more was not pulled out of Merrick and Treves’ relationship.
Random Thoughts
The Elephant Man was nominated for eight Oscars, tied with Raging Bull for the most in 1980, yet it did not win any. The most egregious snub was it not winning anything for makeup and costume design, considering the remarkable job done to transform Hurt into Merrick. It did lead to the Academy creating a new award for Make-Up design, so you can thank Christopher Tucker for that award coming to fruition.
Mel Brooks was a producer and main financer for this film, which really tickles me. He specifically requested to not be listed as an EP so people did not misunderstand the film when it was advertised, but he played a pivotal role in its creation.
Young Anthony Hopkins had a killer beard.
The eerie carnival music is super effective and making the film in black and white keeps it nice and creepy.
The first and last scenes are peak Lynch, and I really loved the opening Elephant attack scene, although it did set me up for a letdown when there were few scenes like it the rest of the way.
The side show music while Merrick is being abused will most certainly give me nightmares for a long time.
Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker, The Graduate) is great, and the movie needed 100% more of her.
Quick Hits
How many times have I seen this movie?
I watched the last half about a year ago on a movie channel, but this was my first full viewing.
Where was I watching it?
In my office with all the lights on.
Favorite trivia about the movie
Brooks saw Eraserhead, which led to him picking up the film for his new production company, and told Lynch “You’re a mad man. I love you, you’re in,” which is the most believable thing I have ever read. I can hear Brooks saying it right now.
Favorite part
"I am not an animal! I am a human being. I am a man,” is one of the most powerful lines you will see in any film, and easily this movie’s most famous scene, and it is remarkable. Hurt’s pain and strength are so apparent and beautiful and sad.
Least favorite part
That monkey scene is rough.
Would I recommend this movie?
I would, as long as you aren’t looking for a classic David Lynch feel.
So What Does Allan Give It?
One Gold Thumbs Up! Overall, a score of 77. The performances outweigh the emotional, if not one-dimensional, script, all leading to a very good historical drama.
