The Elephant Man (1980)
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Historical
Platonic_Caveman — 6 years ago(March 31, 2020 07:57 PM)
In Victorian London, Dr. Frederick Treves with the London Hospital comes across a circus sideshow attraction run by a man named Bytes called "The Elephant Man". In actuality, the creature on display is indeed a man, twenty-one-year-old Joseph "John" Merrick, who has several physical deformities, including an oversized and disfigured skull, and an oversized and disfigured right shoulder. Brutish Bytes, his "owner", only wants whatever he can get economically by presenting Merrick as a freak. Treves manages to bring Merrick under his care at the hospital, not without several of its own obstacles, including being questioned by those in authority since Merrick cannot be cured. Treves initially believes Bytes' assertion that mute Merrick is an imbecile, but ultimately learns that Merrick can speak and is a well-read and articulate man. As news of Merrick hits the London newspapers, he becomes a celebrated curiosity amongst London's upper class, including with Mrs. Kendal, a famed actress. Despite treated much more humanely, the question becomes whether Treves' actions are a further exploitation of Merrick. And as Merrick becomes more famous, others try to get their two-cents worth from who still remains a curiosity and a freak to most, including to Bytes, who has since lost his meal ticket.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/plotsummary?ref_=tt_stry_pl
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Platonic_Caveman — 6 years ago(April 01, 2020 01:32 AM)
But that's a quote from the movie. It's Elephant Man's statement of humanity because people have always treated him like an inhuman freak.
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Platonic_Caveman — 6 years ago(April 01, 2020 01:39 AM)
It's interesting that we've developed political correctness and taken it to absurd levels. But when you look at the brutality suffered by those who were 'different' in the past, it's more understandable.
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NZer — 6 years ago(April 01, 2020 01:45 AM)
One of David Lynch's more 'normal' films, and he proved that he can do anything! Another of his 'straight' movies is The Straight Story. I loved the concept of an old man travelling across America, on a ride-on mower, to see his dying brother. It was touching, and funny and unforgettable.
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Platonic_Caveman — 6 years ago(April 01, 2020 02:07 AM)
I've never seen one of Lynch's more 'normal' films. I am curious about this one.
I would imagine that he still imbues everyday commonplace acts with a type of unique perspective he did on Twin Peaks? I mean I mentioned how hilarious I thought it was that on Twin Peaks Josie called a cup of coffee a "cup of joe". It's the detail which draws me to Lynch.
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"filmboards is a bold experiment in free speech and anarchy"
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MovieManCin2 — 6 years ago(April 02, 2020 01:49 PM)
Oh. Touched a nerve there, didn't I, snowflake? Relax, go to your safe space and play with your dolls, coloring books and play dough, and everything will be okay.
MAGA! FAFO!
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. Dumbocraps: evil people who celebrate murder. 
