Mullholland Drive- Lynch's Magnum Opus


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.