Mullholland Drive- Lynch’s Magnum Opus
I am going to stay as spoiler-free as I can, but if you
haven’t seen this film, I would recommend going in completely blind.
David Lynch is a filmmaker who is very controversial in mainstream
film, his work is criticised for being alienating, graphic and too surreal. However,
I think this is what makes Lynch one of the most intensely exciting directors
ever. Mullholland Drive is, in my opinion, Lynch’s greatest accomplishment,
every single stylistic element that has made Lynch’s work stand out comes
together in this surreal and disturbing masterpiece. It is a film which has
promoted discussion and analysis for years after its release, so many scenes
and moments to look through and unpack. yet the film itself provides an
interesting narrative, with surreal aspects that don’t feel too distracting as
you still understand the purpose behind in relation to thee themes, it also
boasts an absolute masterful use of tone throughout.
Hollywood is this untamed beast in Mullholland Drive, the portrayal
of the inner workings is truly upsetting and disturbing. With excellent
appearances from Michael J. Anderson and Angelo Badalamenti as small creepy
roles, that give the word this confusing and unsettling vibe. This is placed
fantastically against an incredible performance by Naomi Watts, who manages to
convey the naivety of upcoming actresses as they approach the world of Hollywood.
The stylisation of how the industry works, is only convincing due to Watt’s
performance, so the surrealism isn’t too jarring. I didn’t love Laura Harring
as ‘Rita’ her character seems almost distracted constantly? I’m not sure if
this is a directorial choice or Harring herself, but I never got a sense of
believably in her character, she feels flat in her delivery. Another weird
characterisation is Justin Theroux, who is fantastic, his character is
unpredictable and impulsive, but he plays this constant anger and frustration
at such a surprisingly hilarious level. With avoiding spoilers, the performance
of The Cowboy is an absolute marvel to behold, one of the truly subtlety
disturbing performances.
Of course, with Lynch, the design and visuals are superb.
The set design really stands out, the use of space and how some locations feel
manufactured (Mr Roque’s office) and the use of colour schemes supported by
excellent lighting. The whole sequence in Club Silencio stands out in the film
in many ways, especially in its costume and lighting design. Lynch loves
creating sets that feel so artificial to throw the viewer off, bending the
perception of reality. The cinematography is strong and unique, but when mixed
with some gorgeous editing the film gains this unrelentingly fascinating visual
style. Constantly changing between being a ‘fly on the wall’ to being thrust
into certain characters shoes. And Badalamenti brings so much craft to the
film’s score, it's atmospheric and helps establish the fantastic tone, with
pieces that seem to sound like they are just out of reach, to pieces that
strike you to the core.
It’s very hard to criticise Lynch’s narrative structure and
writing style. Mullholland Drive is an alienating film to those unfamiliar to
Lynch, however I think the tone and characters are so strong and intriguing it sticks
with you. You are often left unsure of what is necessary and what isn’t, this
is a purely personal thing as the film is still effortlessly entertaining, but
some scenes I felt weren’t needed, but I could be simply just misinterpreting
the scene. It’s a fascinating film to discuss with friends, as it requires so
many re-watches to understand the complex themes and character study. It’s a
treat to watch, even if the film leaves you in this eerie uncomfortable state
of uncertainty.