The Elephant Man

I've been very vocal in my opinion that John Hurt as John Merrick is the greatest acting performance I've been witness to. The scene when he recites Psalm 23, tea at the Treves', when he receives his dress set, his outburst at the train station, his evening at the theatre and his final sleep I watch through eyes filled with tears deep like an ocean. This is also the film that caused the Academy to create the Oscar for Best Makeup after an outcry from fans that the makeup was not honoured. I often watch Lynch movies laughing at their absurdity, however, watching John remove all of the pillows from his bed so that he may sleep led down, seemingly satisfied, knowing that doing so will kill him reminds me that there is so much more to Lynch than Pabst Blue Ribbon and diner-made pie. "Oh Mr Merrick, you are not an elephant man at all." "No?" "No, you're Romeo."