As Homer said...

Rating: 7/10 (21 May 2002)

As Homer Simpson said of Twin Peaks...
"Brilliant! I have no idea what's going on."
So true of this movie. I think it's David Lynch at his most cryptic, as some of my friends argue about which half was reality, let alone what was happening in that reality.
Unfortunately, unlike any other Lynch movie, I think maybe there isn't an overall theme or concept that ties it all together. Granted, I've only seen it once so far, and many have commented that it needs to be seen 3 times. I disagree. If the movie doesn't hold up under the first viewing, then there is a real sense of loss with viewing it. The structure of the film is compelling, and the lead actresses were great, especially Betty/Diane. Very versatile performance, as the movie demanded a LOT from her. I think that ultimately, viewers just have to make up their own minds, as there is no ONE accurate interpretation to this film, and I suspect that multiple viewing would lead to completely different takes. I probably WILL watch it again, but I suspect that there isn't a true internal logic to this movie, which can be evidenced by the fact that over half of it was originally a TV pilot, and extra footage was shot to make it a feature. I think this provides the evidence that the sense of cohesiveness was shoe-horned in after the fact by Lynch.
Unlike Lost Highway, which was just as "out there" and still his best work to date.
Mulholland Dr. is a distant third (I still love Eraserhead to no end - in fact I watched it just after Mulholland Dr).