Confused and disturbed, but not disappointed.

Rating: 10/10 (9 April 2002)

Yow. I hardly ever find actual horror movies scary, whereas I find most David Lynch films to be extremely terrifying. This film is no exception, except in that it is more so. It is the first Lynch film I have seen on the big screen and I was not disappointed - confused and disturbed, but not disappointed. I get the impression from this film that Lynch really hates Hollywood. This film is an assault on many Hollywood clichés, while at the same time a showcase of Lynch's talent at using and transcending those same devices. There's some traditional suspense type stuff, romance kind of stuff, and some Tarantino-esque stuff all thrown in.
**SPOILER-ISH**
Speaking of devices, I must admit that I was just slightly disappointed in how Lynch fell back on some of his recurring themes and surreal/occult plot twist. Most notably seen in Twin Peaks and Lost Highway, Lynch's universe seems to include some shadowy network of sorcerer type people or creatures that somehow use human souls or emotions to fuel their time and space bending schemes. In this film it's "The Cowboy" who seems to be near the top of this cabal. His brief appearance(s) is one of the best scenes I have ever seen.
There's some seemingly gratuitous steamy girl on girl action too.