Rarely does any picture make such an impact...

Rating: 9/10 (26 October 2002)

Rarely does any picture make such an impact on the way people think and react to things than the 2001 film entitled Mulholland Drive, directed by David Lynch. Lynch has made a name for himself by creating dark and weird films that will pluck at one's nerves. Mulholland Drive is no exception and should be considered, in my opinion, as one of the best films in the history of cinema. Mulholland Drive is anchored by the incredible performance of Naomi Watts, who plays an up-and-coming actress who stumbles upon another woman who cannot remember who she is. This amnesic reaction is due to a fatal car accident on Mulholland Drive early that evening. We are also introduced to several supporting characters and countless subplots. The movie plays out like a dream world, with several scenes having little or nothing to do with the `plot.' Without getting into too much detail and giving the secrets away, the film is about 3/4ths over when it takes a complete 360ยบ turn. The plot, its characters, and the situations seem to completely change and as I was watching the remainder of Mulholland Drive, I was wondering why Lynch was playing with my mind this way. Eventually, I got frustrated and looked up some key plot points on the Internet and eventually, everything became clear. I watched Mulholland Drive a second time and realized how much sense this seemingly incomprehensible film actually made. Lynch is a complete genius for being able to toy with the minds of countless viewers, only to laugh in their face and say `I can't believe you were this stupid not to figure this film out.' Mulholland Drive does something most films don't: plays with your mind and leaves you with a blank stare, wondering how you could let a film pluck at your nerves.