The Elephant Man

I just watched The Elephant Man for the first time in my life.  First, let me say that it was the most beautiful film I have watched in a long time. I was moved to tears. Literally.

I watched this movie first because I had never seen it and it was available to view immediately on Netflix. More importantly, I watched it because I remember the uproar that was created when rumors circulated that Michael Jackson had bought "The Elephant Man's" bones. I never understood why it was such a big commotion. I watched the film in the hopes of gaining something that resembles an understanding as to why this was such a controversial topic.

The Elephant Man was released in 1980 by Director David Lynch. It was a summation of various writing efforts. The film starred Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt and Anne Bancroft. This compassionate story follows the true story of the life of Joseph Merrick the horribly disfigured individual unfortunately known as “the elephant man".

I am not going to narrate the story as most of you have seen it. Those of you who haven't should go see it immediately. 

I do want to talk about the legacy of the movie and how it touched me.

Before I watched the movie, I read the reviews only to humor myself. A lot of the people who commented had the same general thought.  They mostly said that it was a touching story but they didn't understand the moral of the story.

Now that I have seen the movie, I immediately demand to know what type of crack these people are smoking! How the hell can you NOT understand the point of the movie? If it were any clearer, it would come with Cliff Notes.

However, I had to stop and realize that I too was missing something. How much we take for granted. Truly, that is what the movie was about. This man who had so many obstacles in front of him, longed desperately for the things that we have and pay no attention to each and every day.

The Elephant Man was recorded in black and white film with no special effects or CGI. It was film in its simplest and rawest form.  We have become calloused by hi-tech movies that seldom serve any real purpose beyond two hours of entertainment that we have become numb to a film that presents a truly humbling moment of humanity and self examination.

Mr. Merrick paid a tremendous price for being different.  He was ostracized, scorned and abused because of afflictions that he could not control.  Joseph was repeatedly demoralized by people who should have cared for him.

There are so many morals that this story carried:

1. Never judge someone by outward appearances.

2. Just because someone is different should not make them a target for ridicule or cruelty.

3. Appreciate everyday of your life and all that you have because someone else wishes they have what you have.

4. Don't be quick to say what you will or will not EVER do.

5. Be careful. Some of the most horrific acts were committed by people who were trying to help.

6. Take joy in the little things.

7. Have the boldness to stand out against things that you know are wrong.

8. All that is done in the dark will one day come into the light.

9. Do not toss those who are different to the side; you never know what they may have to contribute to your life.

10. No matter what anyone looks like, they bleed red just like you!

I watched the film misty eyed the entire time. I realized how judgmental we are every single day. We judge people with no more effort than it takes to blink an eye. We judge the homeless, the poor, single people and the rich. We have biased opinions about people of different nationalities, religions, status, height, weight and political beliefs.

Even here on PNN, we judge. Sometimes unconsciously and other times maliciously.

It is as if it is embedded in our DNA.

I felt guilt fall down on me like a ton of bricks as I watched this movie and saw Mr. Merrick who had every reason to judge the world trust people time and time again.

I was awed by the pure humanity that spewed out of this film. While most of it was humanity in its ugliest form, there were brief moments of courage and compassion that shone through.

I don't know if Michael Jackson purchased Mr. Merrick's bones or not. I can say that I can see why he would have wanted to.  Mr. Merrick's life consisted of being put on display and gawked at for the sole purpose of fattening someone else's pockets. I can see where Michael may have wanted to spare Joseph this injustice in death.