The Edge of Reason

Rating: 9/10 (11 June 2010)

Never have I seen a film that so expertly diverges from reality. It just love those kinds of movies. The problem, though, is that they are so hard to perfect. I've seen many promising psychological thrillers that border the edge of reality that, in the end, flop. With this genre in particular, there are millions of things that could go wrong. One of these is that the viewer may not understand what is happening. When I first watched Mulholland Dr., I had no clue what kind of film it was. I failed to watch closely for the little clues scattered throughout. And so, when the film ended, I had just about the biggest "what the heck" moment of my life. I knew immediately that a second, possibly third, maybe even fourth viewing would be required. A few days later, I gave it another shot. On the second attempt, I picked up so many things that I hadn't before. There was the dance scene at the beginning, the coffee cup, the cigarette dish, the strange way the characters acted toward one another, etc. I also picked up the brilliant way that the "dream" world parallels with the reality. I have since watched the film a third time, and I have watched several specific scenes ten times. Each time, I pick up something new.
If you are just looking for a fun film to pass the time, Mulholland Dr. is not the movie for you. It is an intricate web that takes time and intelligence to sort through. Over most of the movie, the viewer has not the slightest clue what is happening. Then, you reach the Fight Club level twist and you still either have no clue or are left with looming doubts.
David Lynch is and outstanding director. His style is meticulous and suspenseful. He is a man who understands the minds of other humans and knows exactly how to play on them.
The cast also gives a great overall performance. There are some that could have used improvement, but no one was bad. Some of them were amazing.
In 2001, Mulholland Dr. did not receive many awards. This shows the prejudice of the Academy Awards, the Goldem Globes, etc. Psychological thrillers have always been thrown over for dramas. Don't get me wrong. Many of my favorites are dramas, but I also love every other genre. I think each film should get a fair shot. Alfred Hitchcock's best films were not even nominated for many awards. Rebecca did win in 1940, but there have been many Hitchcock films much mire deserving (i.e. Psycho, Rear Window, North by Northwest). The only time a thriller has truly succeeded if with The Silence of the Lambs (1991). But all those films that failed at the time have now achieved that status they deserve. One day, Mulholland Dr. will surely achieve that same status.
Mulholland Dr. is a roller-coaster of psychological twists. For those intelligent enough to understand it, it is definitely essential viewing.