Review of Lost Highway (1997) by David J — 28 Sep 2009

Whether you love or hate David Lynch you have to admit that the man can really make a fucked up film. Lost Highway is the third Lynch film I've watched to date and so far my third favorite. I expected Lost Highway to be similar to Mullholland Drive from what I had read on the film and although the film has a similar way of being made I don't think that Lost Highway is anywhere close to the perfection that is Mullholland Drive.

Lost Highway is an extremely dark film in tone and in the way it was made. It's not a happy film at all and honestly feels very bleak. The film uses some fantastic cinematography and usage of music to create a very atmospheric vibe. I did like some aspects of Lost Highway, my favorite probably being the Soundtrack. The sounds of Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails fit the tone of the film perfectly and helped the film create a moody vibe. The acting in the film is pretty solid. Patricia Arquette is obviously the lead in this film and she does a fine job of playing her role. Bill Pullman and Balthazaar Gaty also do fine jobs on there roles.

Here is my problem with Lost Highway though. I felt the film was very off the wall throughout and was often asking myself what the hell was going on. I know that this is relatively normal in a Lynch film but I just didn't feel as connected to the characters in this film as I was in Blue Velvet or Mullholland Drive. The biggest problem with Lost Highway though is the writing. The film is mediocre in the writing department and doesn't create nearly enough tension to be considered a suspense-thriller and not nearly enough scares to be considered a horror film. Lost Highway is an alternative film that really escapes genre but I just didn't love this film. I know that it's well loved by Lynch fans and film fans alike but there was just something that kept me out of the film for some reason.