Truly fascinating...

Rating: Null/10 (20 January 2002)

As we all know, David Lynch is often taking his audience on a roller coaster ride of discovery, intrigue and a dependence on our ability to surmise but Mulholland Dr. definitely takes that one step further.

It is a truly fascinating film, believe me, however heavily dependent on symbolism. Lynch begins by showing us a number of detached ideas which slowly formulate a followable plot. It is noticeable how you are strangely drawn to the characters, their mystique and intensity especially. You know little about them (remember - this is Lynch) but you still want to journey with them. This film has an atmosphere that could beat Blair Witch and has your jaw literally dropping with nervous tension. I think. Or is it mind-numbing concentration? For just as the plot seems to be coming into focus, Lynch bombards us with character twists, new concepts and overturns this little, complex world we thought we'd just got to grips with! It becomes disjointed, deeply surreal and, I'm afraid, laughable as your brain desperately tries to keep up with the visual material it receives. If Lynch had managed to neatly and cleverly tie up and loose ends he spends 2 hours leaving around, I would label this a work of pure genius. A true masterpiece. However, it seems more like what were a number of cleverly crafted ideas got a little out of hand, the symbolism about Hollywood too predominant, and he threw it all together in a bit of a... jumble really. You're left feeling as though there is something more to come, some focal point you've missed. Diverted but not fulfilled. It's not a horror movie, it's not a comedy (although it has its moments), it's just...weird.
Certainly I urge you go to watch it. Even if it's just for the thoroughly stimulating conversation you'll have afterwards trying to figure it all out. I don't suggest you go to see it alone. I do suggest you take with you some paracetamol... Let me know if you understand it. I'll be fascinated to find out what it was all about!