Originally posted by Putinbot1Eraserhead is an early masterpiece from my fave director. The one time I saw Basket Case I was really stoned and hated it, but in a very memorable way, so I guess that means I kind of like it?
A great film but is it better than Eraserhead, me not think so. For laughs I still think Basket Case takes some beating.
The style and performances of Elephant Man are top-tier but I think you can feel studio interference, and Lynch's humour is still underdeveloped, often serving to undercut a scene rather than enhance it (like the humour in say, Blue Velvet or Wild at Heart). I also dislike how the film goes along trying to show Merrick as a human and not something to be stared at or exploited, but then not only does it twist the truth to prey on audience emotions (much of the film takes his life events out of order and puts them in such a way to make it more of a sob story), it also fails to even get his goddamn name right. Joseph Merrick, not John! Come on, guys.
I think the humor emphasizes the pain and cruelty on display in the film. The humor is intentionally spiteful, I think.
The film wants us to feel guilty and conflicted like Treves so Merrick is intentionally dichotomized between wanting to be seen as human but also being presented to us as an oddity.
My top Lynch film is a tough pick, it's pretty much a three-way tie between Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive (which I consider to be his most accomplished / 'best' film) and Eraserhead, but I'll make a rough list.
1. Lost Highway
2. Eraserhead
3. Mulholland Drive
4. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
5. Wild at Heart
6. Blue Velvet
7. The Straight Story
8. Inland Empire
9. Dune
10. The Elephant Man
Originally posted by BackFireI can dig that, but I still think getting his name wrong and playing up 'sadder' elements of his life story for the sake of tear-bait lessen the quality of the end product
I think the humor emphasizes the pain and cruelty on display in the film. The humor is intentionally spiteful, I think.The film wants us to feel guilty and conflicted like Treves so Merrick is intentionally dichotomized between wanting to be seen as human but also being presented to us as an oddity.