Mulholland Dr. (2001)

(Director) David Lynch

(Writer) David Lynch

(Producer) Pierre Edelman

(Distributor) Universal Pictures

Everybody has wallowed in the dreams of what they hope to be and in turn feared the nightmarish reminders of what they could become. We've all had conversations with ourselves and have sometimes wondered if who we're talking to is another side of our personality. The psychology of a human being is baffling to say the least. Like the seemingly limitless possibilities revolving around outer space, our minds are boundless and hold no total understanding. I personally feel like filmmakers don't take enough chances to explore the more personal oddities in life. David Lynch never seems to shy away from being the black sheep in Hollywood and following his own agenda, regardless of what the median says. For this he deserves enormous amounts of praise and for "Mulholland Dr." the title of genius.

A devastating car wreck leaves a young woman who later calls herself Rita (Laura Harring) amnesic. With the help of Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), an eccentric fresh face to Hollywood, CA, Rita hopes to learn about who she was. But as the mystery surrounding her identity leads them down a terrifying venture, amnesia becomes a far more comforting reality. On the side we have a story about Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux), a young director who just ran into some surreal complications involving the hiring of a lead actress to his upcoming film.

Walking away from a film like "Mulholland Dr." invokes a similar feeling to that of psychological trauma and leaves the viewer in a hypnagogic state. Every emotional sensation that could possibly exist in your sub conscious is suddenly thrust forward, deep into your psyche and alarmingly controlled like puppetry. From the very beginning of the film there's an intricate set up that lures the viewer into a feeling of hopeful affirmation and by the end credits we're left with so many open doors that only self interpretation can be a mental saving grace. It's this aspect alone that becomes the paramount turn off to a great majority of "Mulholland Dr." viewers and to others, its redemption. Multiple viewings of this film will most likely fail at providing the answers which will inevitably be sought but a great lesson to be affirmed here is that the effects of the journey far outweigh the outcome. It's very difficult trying to muster up words that could describe the success of the story because the only way to truly enjoy it is by being open to wild interpretation. Chances are you won't, I say this bluntly, know what in the hell just happened after an initial viewing. Depending on the type of person you are there might be some uncomfortable outcries involving foul language and frustration. With any luck you'll see the movie in the same light as myself and unexpectedly not give a damn about the final piece of the puzzle because you're so entranced by everything prior.

Regardless of the film's complicated nature, the story is intelligent and heavily touches down on an emotionally deep subject matter in a not so common fashion. Everyone can take something different from the experience in terms of relating to the character's dilemmas and heartbreak. There's always a different theme during each scene of the movie and it does an excellent job at sticking to that formula. Every character is involved, unique and brings different elements of surprise to the table.

The acting in "Mulholland Dr," leaves no room for negative remarks and should be registered into the list of films that stand as prime examples of sublime personifying. What's given to the viewer is a deep and realistic insight into characters that may very well be real, for all we know. Emotional embodiments who are based off strangers to us but acquaintances to David Lynch. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring create a whirlwind of perfect chemistry that it's near saddening when they aren't on screen. Deep down at the core of human understanding, these characters throw you onto a roller coaster of terror, lust, adventure, mystery and love. Every interaction is genuine and every reaction so jolting in the foreground that as a viewer you're constantly becoming involved. When the characters interact, your emotions interact and that sense of connection never stops. There's a scene in particular, a very down to earth and erotic sexual encounter, that redeemed all faith I had ever lost in Hollywood portraying intercourse in a realistic fashion. The pounding of my heart could be heard in my ears and there was a unique feeling engulfing me, like I had just walked in on two people in the middle of something real and private. You almost feel like an intruder in their world; the fly on the wall. This scene alone embodies everything beautiful and enticing within perfect film making.

The queer feeling of the film is carried forth by a supernatural orchestra of sound. As to be expected from Lynch's obsession with tapping into as many sense as possible, the music in "Mulholland Dr." is a recurrent reminder that the audience isn't experiencing something commonplace. Appreciation for the unusual ambiance comes gradually and before the end there's a sensation of your soul being seduced by a haunting symphony.

David Lynch directs and edits like no other filmmaker in history. As with "Twin Peaks" & "Eraserhead", "Mulholland Dr." looks and feels like a dream brought to life. There's always a slight haze amongst the film's physical appearance that leaves lingering sensation of surrealism, as if you're about to fall through the floor and into another dimension. A unique style of suspense and foreshadowing that literally creeps under your skin. It'd be rude to not commend Lynch on his use of lighting, angles, camera speeds, visual effects and colors. Everything from props to lighting to effects are used in "Mulholland Dr." to signify specific meanings and emotions. Red lamp shades, smoke machines and blue lights have never before been made so eerie. Not being made aware of the two and a half hour running time, I was shocked at how the film's pacing never slowed down. Even when the story seemed like it was taking a breather, the feeling of calmness was non-existent. It's the mixture of these two key elements in directing that threaded a film of arguable perfection.

"Mulholland Dr." is a spectacle to be watched with wide open eyes but a relaxed frame of mind. There's a lot to discover here and plenty to feel, the most important aspects of a film. It's a very rare treat gifted with the possibility of discovering emotions seldom used by your psyche. From my point of view, everything is solid and the perfect example of a masterpiece. Having been used as a topic of discussion within psychology courses due to the film's profound character study and considered one of the greatest achievements in cinematic history, you can't go wrong. So turn off the lights, close the curtains and partake in this dark world filled with betrayal, murder, passion, realization, guilt and loss. Even if the journey drives you a bit mad, it's well worth the ride.