Mulholland Drive (2001)

Mulholland Drive (2001) is a dreamscape rollercoaster. Just when you think you have a handle on it, it whips you around and you are left dumbfounded and gasping for air. Considering that this is a David Lynch movie that is to be expected after films like Eraserhead (1977) and Blue Velvet (1986) but Mulholland Drive takes the mysticism of Hollywood and a love story and throws it together. It received an Oscar nod nominating Lynch for best director but lost to Steven Soderbergh for Traffic (2001). But with this film, when the credits roll, you just have to ask yourself "What just happened?"

The film starts off with a bang, showing a limo going down Mulholland Drive. A dark haired woman who we find out is named Rita (Laura Harring) is sitting in the backseat when it pulls over. Confusion washes over her as she says "You can't park here." Intercut from this it shows a group of delinquents driving drunk up the same road in two seperate cars. It cuts back to Rita, where one of the gentlemen in the front seat gets out of the car and walks to the back, opening her car door. He points a gun at her and right at that moment one of the drunk drivers runs into the pulled over limo. It kills everyone except for Rita who finds herself walking down the hill toward Hollywood. Afterward we have Betty (Naomi Watts) who is flying into Hollywood to start a career as an actress. She is staying at her aunt's house, and is pretty naive to life. When she arrives Rita has broken in and is staying in Betty's aunts house. After discovering that Rita has amnesia, Betty decides to help figure out what happened to Rita. Pretty compelling story right?

Laura Harring and Naomi Watts

Throughout the whole film it has very much a noir type feel to it. Strange occurrences happen and just when you thought you had figured out what happened a new question comes into play. I would not be surprised if this was filmed in black and white and everyone was smoking. It is a long movie clocking in at 2 hours and 27 minutes but it never lags or feels like something is wasted. It just works. You are engaged throughout the film trying to find out what has happened. Now the first 2 hours are very upbeat and interesting and you have to pay attention. Every clue or item brought up will have a much more define and intriguing meaning to it, when the last thirty minutes starts. It really has a huge build up that makes sense at the end. It is really eerie how everything just ties together.

David Lynch

Now I can understand how this film was going to be a television show at first like Lynch's other project, Twin Peaks (1990-1991) but personally I think it works great as a feature length film. I was just mystified by what was going to happen next and could not look away from the screen afraid I would miss something. This film deserves a second watch, like most Lynch films need.

I think what I like most about this film is that it makes you think. It wants your help to figure out what has happened. Then right when you think you got it, it flips it on its ear and you were completely wrong the whole time. Lynch works that way and really wants to test his viewers. He still states no one has found his meaning for Eraserhead and it has been 40 years of wondering. All in all this film is a spectacle to behold and was masterpiece in its own right. I suggest if you are looking for a film that will make you think, this is just the place to go.

Grade: A

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Cast: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux

Rated: R for violence, language and some strong sexuality

Director: David Lynch