Unlock the mystery, Lynch Style!

Rating: 10/10 (6 August 2005)

"Muholland Drive" is definitely a puzzle. Although I understood the basic plot twist during my second viewing, I still watched it again and the minor details made so much more sense. The beginning of the film deals with a girl with amnesia. After a car accident, she can't remember who she is. She stays with the sweet and naive Betty and names herself Rita. Betty, played by the gorgeous Naomi Watts, is an actress who has just moved to Hollywood for a big break. She tries to help Rita find out who she really is. Along the way we meet a ruthless producer, and witness many various strange nonsense like situations. All feel like a disjointed dream. Who can forget that creepy bum behind the restaurant dumpster holding a sort of Pandora's's box? Then the film becomes very confusing towards the end with a flashback and out of sequence style. I won't ruin the surprise, but I'll give you a couple of hints for the latter parts of the film. (WARNING, STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN"T SEEN THE FILM YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) (SPOILER ALERT, STOP READING, if you want to figure it out on your own) 1.) Think, is everyone the same person throughout the whole film? 2.) Think about the scene where the cowboy walks in Diane's house and tells her to "wake up". 3.) Now, think about the films tag-line describing Hollywood. 4.)Also pay attention to Diane's coffee mug and robe before the on the couch sex scene with her and Camela. These 4 things are very important for you the viewer or detective trying to unlock the mystery. (OK IT'S SAFE TO READ NOW FOR NEW VIEWERS!) David Lynch has not only created a flawless surreal masterpiece of mystery. In a Kenneth Anger like fashion, Lynch also creates a satire that makes fun of Hollywood. You got to respect a director like David Lynch who screws with the viewer's mind, mocks Hollywood and still gets nominated for an academy award. I don't think anyone else could do that? And so well too! Even after unlocking the films mystery, there is still many things left unexplained. This opens the door to subconscious thought and leaves viewers to explore different interpretations. "Muholland Drive" is a great film that provokes much discussion.