Lynch fans will love it; others should avoid it

Rating: 6/10 (15 December 2003)

Imagine enjoying a world-class symphony orchestra, and just as the music reaches the crescendo of the final movement, the conductor lowers the baton and a cacophony of sound spews forth. This is my impression of Mulholland Drive.
The acting and cinematography are superb. Suspense builds in the first 75% of the movie in a consistent and engrossing manner. But in the end we find the movie devolves into a typically Lynch morass of plot twists and vexatious imagery.
For most people who prefer to watch a movie ONCE and completely "get it", this movie is frustrating and unsatisfying. However, for the viewer who enjoys the challenge, there are sufficient details, clues, and hints dispersed throughout the movie which may be aggregated to piece together a unified interpretation.
If you are a fan of David Lynch, you will probably love this movie. If you are not, you will likely want to avoid it.