An aspiring actress befriends an amnesiac and tries to
help her remember her identity, but not all is as it seems. DRAMA
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Mulholland Drive (2001)Written and Directed by David Lynch
Starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Ann Miller, Mark Pellegrino, Dan Hedaya, Angelo Badalamenti, Chad Everett, Robert Forster, Brent Briscoe, Patrick Fischler Oscar Nominations - Best Director |
Only David Lynch could create a film worthy of such constant analysis. Mulholland Drive is his masterpiece, if you could say that. David Lynch stands alone with his films. He doesn't care what the audience thinks. He has a singular vision, and he will not compromise it. Granted, this can sometimes bite him in the ass (Twin Peaks: The Return, anyone?), but honestly most of the time, it makes his films stand out. Mulholland Drive is incredibly well-acted and well-told, and once things take a giant left turn, it signifies a plot twist that makes this film wholly unique.
Naomi Watts plays wide-eyed aspiring actress Betty Elms, who comes to Hollywood to be a star. While staying at her aunt's place, she meets an amnesiac calling herself Rita (Harring). Betty agrees to help Rita find out who she is, sparking a hunt for clues across L.A. Both Watts and Harring are fantastic, with their evolving relationship feeling earned throughout. Then, when a certain box is opened, things go straight down the rabbit hole. It's open to interpretation, as Lynch often is, but I definitely subscribe to the "first half was a dream" theory. It's the only one that makes sense and makes the film feel satisfying. I'm not for artsy films. I prefer a compelling narrative coupled with great performances. But there's something about Lynch's dedication to not giving a fuck that really speaks to me. I've enjoyed most of his films, and most of his films don't make a lick of sense. Mulholland Drive almost does, and that helps. Plus, I think it's criminal that Naomi Watts wasn't nominated for this. Hell, she probably should've won. If you haven't seen this film, I understand why, but maybe you should give it a chance. |
Written and directed by David Lynch, Mulholland Drive will blow you away with its erratic tone throughout. It doesn’t matter what David was trying to say here, because this is just one hell of a cinematic ride. Lynch had already wowed the piss out of audiences with films like Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, and the TV show Twin Peaks. But, in 2001, Mulholland Drive hit screens and received critical acclaim. BBC Culture has named it the best film of the 21st century, among many others who have praised it.
This is one of those films that I watch and laugh, because I can’t imagine having the eye that the director has. The film also delivers unforgettable performances from Naomi Watts, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates, Laura Harring, Patrick Fischler, and Robert Forster. Mulholland Drive got a single nod from the Academy when they nominated Lynch for Best Director, but it was nominated by every award organization under the sun. This film tells a very intriguing love story between Rita (Harring) and Betty (Watts) that contains many plot points that are always going to be up to interpretation. Many would say that Betty is in a dream the whole time, revealing her true self at the end of the film. Some would say it’s just a mess the entire time, but I like to just sit back and let the images and bizarre dialogue take control of me. Trust me, I can’t do anything to really prepare you for viewing this film, but it is an absolute must. |