From awful to excellent upon repeated viewings

Rating: Null/10 (30 July 2002)

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** I thought this movie was pretty bad and too cute and postmodern after the first viewing. It seemed to make no sense whatsoever. I had a vague theory that there were multiple parallel universes with events in one affecting the others and vice versa.
Then I watched it again. This time, especially after watching the beginning of the DVD several times, it seemed clearer that most of the movie was either Diane's story, Diane's dream or Diane's hallucinations (while awake). My suspicion is that this would have been an excellent film had it not had its origin as a TV pilot.
I think a somewhat straightforward story can be told by focusing squarely on the Diane character. She wins a jitterbug contest, inherits some money from a dead actress aunt, comes to LA, almost lands the lead in a movie, becomes a hanger-on to the actress who DOES win the lead, has a relationship with this actress, actress ends relationship, has actress killed by a hit man, and then takes her own life. She also has a long dream wherein the roles are reversed and she is in control.
Unfortunately, this interpretation doesn't explain everything and there are lotsa loose ends. However, interviews with Naomi Watts (found via google) confirm at the very least that Naomi shares this interpretation.
Regardless of whether or not one likes this film, the performances are top notch (especially Naomi Watts - WOW) and the music and cinematography are incredible.
Anand