Lynch salvage job

Rating: Null/10 (14 November 2001)

Let's face it, folks. This is David Lynch trying to salvage a rejected pilot. Much of the film makes little narrative sense (and many of the dream/flashback structures are a transparent attempt at tying up some very loose ends). Narrative has rarely been Lynch's strong suit, but even when the pieces fit together, they seem forced (imagine a 1000 page novel where the Publisher tells the Author to cut it down to 200 pages with only minimal re-writing and the Author's forced to use existing chapters AS IS - even when they no longer work on their own). There are a number of striking scenes and images (this is Lynch's forte). But, you can practically see the "Tune in Next Week" or "Last Week on MULHOLLAND DRIVE" title cards before or after certain passages. Naomi Watts is getting much of the attention, but Laura Herring has the kind of old fashioned 40's Movie Glamour look (save for the oh-so-1990's silicone implants) that has so gone out of style - she doesn't ape Rita Hayward's name by accident. Worth a look, but a full season (a la TWIN PEAKS - the less said about much of the 2nd season the better) would have lent much needed depth to the project.