While browsing the Criterion Closet, a haven for serious film buffs, Affleck picked up The Elephant Man, David Lynch’s haunting 1980 film. As he held the movie in his hands, he shared a story that clearly still resonates. “It’s the first and only time I ever saw my father cry,” he revealed, thinking back to when they watched the film together.
For Affleck, the film, which stars John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins and tells the heartbreaking story of Joseph Merrick, a man with severe deformities, struck a chord on a much deeper level. “Movie about what it means to be a human being. And it’s heartbreaking and beautiful,” he reflected, clearly moved.
He didn’t just add it to his basket casually either. “It’s tied to a very personal memory for me. That’s probably a good note to end on. A tremendous amount of respect for what that takes and what that means,” he added thoughtfully, hinting at how meaningful both the film and the moment were for him.
Affleck’s respect for his dad, Timothy Byers Affleck, runs deep, especially when it comes to his journey with sobriety. In a previous interview with People, the Accountant 2 star praised his father, who has now been sober for almost 30 years. “A tremendous amount of respect for what that takes and what that means,” he said again, echoing the sentiment he expressed in the Criterion clip.
He went on to reflect on the shift that happens as you grow up and begin to see your parents in a new light. “Part of being an adult is learning that your parents are just people. They’re not perfect. They were just doing their best. As a child, we expect perfection out of our parents,” he said — a relatable truth for many.
For those less familiar with Affleck’s background, his parents, Timothy and Christopher Anne Boldt, had two sons — Ben and his younger brother Casey Affleck. The family faced its struggles, and when Ben was just 12, his parents divorced in 1984.
This rare glimpse into Affleck’s emotional life, tied to a touching film and a vulnerable family memory, gives fans a reminder that even A-list stars have tender, very human moments just like the rest of us.