Review of Blue City (1986) by Tyc. — 13 Mar 2006
The criticisms of BV almost always miss the point of this film. It is most certainly not meant to be a straight-up thriller, that's just an absurd idea. Also, you can't properly judge it by seeing it only once, I've seen it maybe 5 times now (going to see the new 35mm print tonight at Film Forum! Ohhhhh yeah!), and am only now beginnign to be able to get a handle on its full dimensions.
On the issue of its aging well or not, the NY Times and I agree it has held up amazingly well. It's probably the best thing Hoppers' done. Rossellini is astonishing. Also, one must never forget that it contains one of the most talked about, memorable scenes in all of cinema, not just American: Rossellini's totally unexpected nude appearance, which shocks on about 3 or 4 levels.
Most people don't see how absolutely hilarious it is. It's really a dark comedy. The idea (if you can call it that) seems to be simplistic (there's good and bad in the world going on simultaneously), but there are layers to it that can be penetrated and yeld much more complex meanings and suggestions.
The young characters enter the dark world that's always been there, next to their light one. They emerge, changed forever, but manage not to be seduced into the underworld. This is modern, American mythology.
And it's damn well made, stupendously entertaining stuff to boot! Lynch hasn't really matched it, though Wild at Heart came close, and I am amazed at how few people saw and appreciated Fire Walk with Me.
Only Kubrick, Allen and Welles surpass Lynch in importance among American filmmakers. Not enough people agree with this, but time will correct that error.
This review of Blue City (1986) was written by Tyc. on 13 Mar 2006.
Blue City has generally received negative reviews.
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