Love story in the city of dreams

Rating: 10/10 (21 October 2014)

I first saw this shortly after its release, and must have seen it at least 10 times more since then. No additional viewing can ever really give the same satisfaction as that first time; that experience of being fooled, having your concept of reality broken down, and being left to make sense of it all. Subsequent viewings have somehow filled the gaps, putting the pieces together. Everything from the helpful hints in the tag line (A love story in the city of dreams) to notes of objects and characters appearing and reappearing, make MD much more accessible than what appears from a first glance.
Seeing a few related films later on has helped too (especially Sunset Blvd and Le mépris), in trying to understand a film that at first sight may seem like a lot of loose ends but in fact totally makes sense. The plot may not be all that complex but the format brings more depth of character than most films, as Lynch brings out some of the most fundamental human traits through his characters. Of course, the movie is open to various interpretations, but the film for me has always been about disillusioned love and dreams, vengeance and remorse. Mulholland Drive remains at the very top of my favorite films, after more than ten years and dozens of viewings.