Run time: 2h 4m
Intro
The film for this week is a big one. It is a piece of film I have wanted to watch for sometime as its story is very intriguing and its cast is scattered with acting legends. It’s name being “The Elephant Man”. If that wasn’t enough, it is directed by one of my favourite cinematic figures, David Lynch.
Plot
To delve into the life of somebody so unique, somebody who will never live a stereotypically normal life, was a fascinating idea and made for a riveting story.
The plot captured my attention and I was engaged right the way through. Therefore, I award it a rating of 9/10.
Acting
We see seasoned legends John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins at an early stage in their career, as they put on an acting masterclass and show why they are revered by movie fans so greatly. Side characters played by Anne Bancroft, Freddie Jones and Dexter Fletcher are equally played with acting prowess.
This was a very strong theatrical portrayal by the movies cast earning itself a 9/10 rating.
Characters
The character of Joseph Merrick, ‘the elephant man’, is one of the most authentic and interesting characters I have ever seen. The fact that the movie is loosely based off the real life figure gives it more originality which, in turn, makes for an even better watch. Pairing him with the sympathetic and inquisitive character of Frederick Treves was both heartwarming and tragic.
Merrick’s genuine and absorbing character is what elevates this film earning itself a rating of 9.5/10.
Dialogue
With the premise of the film, there are some tear-jerking lines that are thoughtfully written by Christopher De Vore and Eric Bergen, the writers of the screenplay.
There were multiple times in which the films script had me choked up with emotion therefore, I award the films dialogue a 9/10 rating.
Music
The music was composed by John Morris, who formed a poignant soundtrack to accompany the film. Morris did an impressive job of tayloring each song to fit Lynch’s obscure cinematic style.
There is a tendancy for soundtracks to act as background noise to accompany a film but I thought Morris’ music amplifies Lynch’s film and so I give it an 8.5/10 rating.
Final verdict
I was almost nervous to watch this film, as I didn’t want for it to be a disappointment and perhaps that’s why it took me so long to finally see it. Well, it did not disappoint in the slightest! A shockingly touching movie, “The Elephant Man” was unlike any film I had ever seen before. A powerful display by Hurt and Hopkins paired with a tragically moving storyline made for a wonderful experience.
Leave a Reply