Review of Lost Highway (1997) by Roberto A — 14 Nov 2008

I cannot recommend this film more. "Lost Highway" is a fantastic, slick, seemless, shockingly unpretentious neo film noir that combines the best aspects of experimental film within a solid narrative of a mystery. I must admit this film made me feel a little stupid because my brother had to explain the ultimate premise of it to me after I viewed it, but that's the beauty of "Lost Highway". Even though I didn't "get it" per se on my first viewing, I found the film's fast pace, beguiling story, and solid acting made for a supremely entertaining 2 hours. This is certainly a Lynch film, but a very restrained one that focuses upon the story at hand rather than Lynch's cartoonish flourishes that ultimately consign "Blue Velvet" and "Wild at Heart" as merely campy excesses. In essence, "Lost Highway" is a far more mature film that demands repeat viewings. The music, editing, and cinematography are top-notch as well.

As far as the premise of the film, which you can find on Wikipedia if you want to spoil it for yourself, is both the point and besides the point. That is, you can certainly take this film at face value, and will be rewarded for it, but the story is so rich that it allows you to hang any metaphors or readings upon it as you like. Is this a film about insanity, father-son relationships, misogyny, jazz, history repeating itself, the Devil, the demons within us, marriage, infidelity, pornography, even road rage? It's all of these and more, a "Chinatown" taken to its logical extreme. Certainly, this is a film that demands your undivided attention. Bonuses include Richard Pryor's last performance, a stunning performance from the criminally underrated Robert Blake, and Patricia Arquette...goodness gracious me, she's easy on the eyes.

Enjoy, with my compliments.