If you are not familiar with the story of Joseph (John) Merrick, known as The Elephant Man, this movie will come as a shock. Based on a true story of a man with severe physical deformities, it is often painful to watch. John Hurt plays the unfortunate Merrick. Heavy makeup is used to recreate the grotesque deformity of his head and face, making him look unbelievable; and yet, the real John Merrick looked even worse (I have checked for his photos online). Forced to make his living as a sideshow attraction, Merrick is humiliated and abused. No one cares to see the human being behind his hideous appearance - until Merrick befriends a doctor named Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins, great as usual). Despite this turn for the better in Merrick’s life, the story is one of the saddest ones I have ever seen. There is no cure for Merrick’s condition. He finds friends, and some comfort in their kindness, but he knows he will always look the way he does and draw stares. Early death at the age of 27 ends his suffering.

Like I said, this is a hard movie to watch, and definitely not a happy-ender. Nevertheless, I liked it for telling me the story of one man who had to carry a much heavier cross than most of us, and teaching me to value much more the many blessings I have in life.

Rating: 10