A great movie(s).
I've been a fan of David Lynch since the first time I saw the "Elephant Man" when I was 12. When most 12 year olds watch movies that most 12 year olds watch they get this feeling of happiness and fulfillment and most of the time learn a lesson or two along the way. They also tend to recall the movie later, not remembering much detail, but remembering that it was a good flick. Now, I'm not saying that watching a Lynch film, like the Elephant Man, is much to the contrary, but there are some key differences.
The first, and probably most obvious, is that the "Elephant Man" is probably the most tame of Lynch's works. Also, I'm not sure fulfillment and happiness are two adjectives I'd use to describe my emotions at the conclusion of the film. I wasn't sad or empty - I was confused and almost angry. For one, I didn't understand that the Elephant Mans ultimate fate was death, because Lynch chose not to create a dramatic, gasping for air (funny I should say that), crying and choking on his last few words, death. Instead, he chose a scene where he peace with God, and knowing that he will die, dies quietly and calmly. This isn't a typical conclusion, as I'm sure we would all agree, hence my confusion. I was also left with this feeling of resentment to the cruel world that surrounded him. How could people treat him that way? He was so helpless. I felt helpless, too. So, doing what a 12 year old does, I started asking my Dad questions about what I just experienced.
"Dad, What happened to him?"
"Well, he laid back, and knowing he couldn't breathe that way, he died."
"Why did he want to die?"
"You saw how unhappy he was being in his body,... but he made peace with God before he left."
The rest of the line of questioning has since faded. I remember, really vividly, trying hard not to cry, not because I was sad, but because I saw what human nature can be like and it pissed me off. Those were quite mature emotions for a preteen. The similarity between this film and the usual feel good film for a 12 year old is that there is a lesson.
What I took away from that film, and what still has stuck with me so strongly is that what we don't understand is not something we should fear and reject, but something we should comfort and welcome in order gain an understanding.
Anyway, all of this was prompted by a viewing of another great film by Lynch that I saw for the first time the other day. Mulholland Drive. It wasn't quite the moral-filled story that the Elephant Man was, but as with all of David Lynch's films, it will probably stick with me for a long time to come. If you haven't seen it do yourself a favor.
Other Lynch favorites:
Blue Velvet
Lost Highway
Twin Peaks
Fire, Walk With Me (not recommended unless you've seen both seasons of Twin Peaks)
The Elephant Man
Eraserhead
Wild At Heart
Dune