Review of Mulholland Dr. (1999) by Matthew O — 10 Jul 2012

Along Mulholland Drive nothing is what it seems. In the unreal universe of Los Angeles, the city bares its schizophrenic nature, an uneasy blend of innocence and corruption, love and loneliness, beauty and depravity. A woman is left with amnesia following a car accident. An aspiring young actress finds her staying in her aunt's home.

David Lynch's head f&ck of a movie, plays along his interest in Hollywood and has a kind of 1950's feel to it, a homage as you will.

The story jumps around and as expected from a Lynch movie we have dwarfs, musical numbers and extreme close-ups a plenty, as well as Lynch's normal obsession with female characters. The two leads Naomi Watts and Ann Hill are particularly great. Both having that look in their eye of not quite knowing what will happen next, and what is going on, a piece of acting which is justified in a Lynch movie where pretty much anything could and does happen.

Naomi Watts Is the most interesting performance on show, her rather amateur performance at the beginning is enhanced to a more mature professional performance as the film progresses.

The film will not be for everyone and as with most of David Lynch's films the use of so many characters, odd plot lines can confuse and tire the film. Still as always a unique piece of cinema and despite the oddness of it all, Mulholland Drive is one of Lynchs most user friendly film in a while.