A Puzzle Without Pieces

Rating: 8/10 (25 May 2006)

After watching Mulholland Drive I felt I loved it, but I had no idea why.
Perhaps because it made me feel better knowing this movie reflected the same confusion I often feel in my own life, grasping at straws for answers, are the straws even real? That gives some comfort.
At times I thought I was putting together a puzzle made from the parts of 12 different puzzles. An over use of directing techniques betrays the film's seams, tearing at the plot until all that is left is a convoluted mess.
"We don't stop here..."
I enjoy figuring out a movie for myself, but you have to have enough to go on to put the puzzle together. This montage more than movie, clings to madness like a sensory deprived post apocalyptic sycophant with a tit in their mouth, suckling wide-eyed on the dregs of a vast and empty mother.
Naomi Watts was brilliant, and that is what stays with you after the movie is over. Her acting, depth of emotion... who was she? Who was Betty? Who was anyone? Were they even real? Was she? Who was Diane? Who Was Betty?
A film of uncovering cosmic futility and the mortal coil, or something else?
When the film begins we witness to a scene. A drive down Mulholland at night with a dark haired beautiful woman.
She says.. "we don't stop here."
The car is hit head on by partying teens driving too fast.
She survives, and stumbles down into Hollywood bleeding, suffering from amnesia when she meets Naomi Wattses character, or does she?
Naomi then reenacts this scene without the car accident, as though they are the same person reliving the same experience, but since the first doesn't know she's dead (amnesia), she becomes the other woman (Watts) to replay it for her?
And what of Aunt Ruth? Who kills herself in the end? Were all the women Aunt Ruth playing out different time lines? Reflecting on each other until ultimately despondent, she commits suicide?
I really have no idea what this movie is about lol.