Dense? Yes. Confusing? Maybe. Impenetrable? Not at all! (possible spoiler)

Rating: 9/10 (15 October 2001)

After reading numerous reviews both good and bad, I went to see this film and it totally knocked me out! From start to finish it just had me spellbound. But what amazes me now is that after having seen it, I'm puzzled as to why some of these "sophisticated" movie critics missed the boat so badly on the story of this film.
Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, said that his show was designed so that the viewer would be rewarded for paying attention. Mulholland Drive requires exactly that: complete attention ALL THE WAY TO THE END! (spoiler approaching) A lot of these critics should take the time to watch Pulp Fiction again to get a sense of what directors can do with narrative time lines. In fact, Lynch gives more than adequate clues as to what he's up to with total corn-ball dialogue in the beginning, the soft focus for the first two thirds and the little "cracks in the veneer" such as the dog turd in the court yard (contrasting the family-like apartment home), the bitchy casting agent (contrasting the overly nice producer). But what's most important is understanding the nature or dreams and fantasy verses reality. Lynch demonstrates this beautifully!
But what I admire the most about this film is that Lynch has the audacity and nerve to challenge the viewer and to require him/her to interpret and ponder and THINK! Such an achievement can only come from an uncompromising dedication to a personal vision which is the source of nearly all great art. So like all great art, it needs to be studied, thought about and talked about(!) to be really appreciated.
Mulholland Drive and Memento are probably the ONLY thought provoking films released this year and I'm grateful that a guy like David Lynch had the balls to make it.