David Lynch is the most talented and original filmmakers today...

Rating: 10/10 (29 July 2006)

And this is his best film. This film is absolutely amazing; David Lynch reaches the pinnacle of all of his techniques: this film never succumbs to any typical sequences or things to do with thrillers. It is the most original film I have seen in years. After watching this, i thought 'I absolutely love it; what does it mean?'. I watched it again. And again. And again. I bought it. And watched it again. Then i thought 'I absolutely love it; I love what i think it means.' This is a film, like all Lynch films, that is up for almost any interpretation. It represents what you want it to. The dual characterization of the actresses boggles the mind and manipulates the senses. David Lynch is an auteur in every sense of the word. He is an original. He is a master of the ART of film. Not the business. Because, after all, film is an art.
Naomi Watts gives an amazing performance: mastering TWO characters, who, although (my interpretation) either one of which can be a mental creation of the other, have different natures. One is real, the other is not. Just like in this film. Everything can be real and unreal at the same time. Everything real is also unreal. This may all sound quite confusing, and it is, honestly. If you are a person who cares for straightforward(sorry if i sound pretentious), moderately bland, pure money-making films; even if you love all films, but can't stand to not understand them, then don't watch David Lynch films. But even if you are those people, watch this film, and be annoyed, sure, but respect the art that Lynch puts up there on the screen. Pure, unfiltered, visual, kinetic art. This film brings together all the visual techniques: light, sound, music, movement, actors, costumes, props, locations, facial expressions, fades, effects: and all were done, at least with Lynch over the shoulder of the workers, if not by him personally. He manipulates you; your mind in this film, and twists your perception of reality. What the characters know, you know. What the characters see, you see. No more. No less. It is a film in which all perception is never assured, yet you feel content as long as the characters are content. He envelopes you in every situation, and the film is like your mind: all reality is input, then manipulated to suit the needs of the situation the mind sees.
Lynch seems to know more about human nature than most directors, as he can show you human nature without flat out, straightforwardly, SHOWING you it. For example, the scenes at Winky's. The first scene there has no bearing on the plot. It is only a visual, complete scene with characters and everything, representation of the manifestation of fear in Naomi Watts' characters' mind about the area surrounding the Winky's. The dirty man behind winky's is not a real person. He is the manifestation of all fear, and everything that is bad. He is there, at Winky's, when Naomi Watts' character tries to get her Laura Elena Hardins' character killed. He is the one from which the conscience which kills Naomi's character springs from. He is who has the 'Blue Box' (watch it and you'll get it). He is the representation of all fearful, bad things. This movie, in addition to all things above, does what i believe a great film (and filmmaker) should be able to do: Say everything that needs to be said without a word being said about it. The stuff on the screen speaks for itself. Turn off the volume. It'll still be amazing. The stuff from the speakers does too. Close your eyes; it'll be just as great. That is what film-making is all about.