Review of Mulholland Drive (2001) by Nikhil N — 18 Sep 2015

David Lynch's first love is painting. Despite being one of the most influential film-makers of this era, he still indulges in his paintings. It isn't beautiful by any means, but he is undeterred. "We come across beautiful portraits many times in our life",he quips, "but how many do you actually remember?". For David Lynch, any work of art which is unable to elicit any kind emotive response is a failure. Any response would do. His paintings are ugly, distasteful. But he considers that a success. "At least my work manages to evoke some response, any response." For him, it is better that someone completely ignoring his work.

It is from the skewed mind of this unconventional film-maker that the 2001 psychological mystery thriller, Mulholland Dr. was conceived, first as a television pilot, then into a full length feature film. Released in 2001 at the Cannes Film Festival, the movie opened to one of the most polarized responses cinema has ever seen. The supporters saw the movie as a masterpiece, a one-of-its-kind-story by a film-maker at his best. The nay-sayers felt the movie was indulgent and an offense against narrative order. Lynch still won the Prix de la mise en scène (Best Director Award) and got an Oscar nomination. The British Film Institute's prestigious Sight &Sound Poll in 2012 named Mulholland Dr. one of the greatest movie ever made.

Even today, the movie polarizes both cinephiles and critics like no other. The internet is flooded with countless blogs, opinions and youtube videos attempting to explain the movie. The mystery has been compounded by Lynch himself, who believes that the movie is all about what you decipher from it. This has ensured that the aura around the movie is still intact even after 14 years.

To put it as simply as possible, Mulholland Dr. tells the story of young Betty Elms, an aspiring actress just arrived in Los Angeles, who befriends an amnesic woman hiding out in her aunt's apartment. In helping the woman, who calls herself Rita, understand who she is, Betty embarks on a terrifying adventure, which transforms her life. A normal mystery film, right? :D . Far from it! Interspersed along with this narrative are multiple vignettes, strange characters doing strange things, characters appearing and disappearing and scenes having no relation to the narrative. But at no point (initially) do you feel confused. There is a seamless flow between the scenes that you won't be affected by its lack of coherence. I honestly believed all the mysterious characters and events would somehow fit into the main narrative and everything would finally make sense. But how wrong I was! Well into the movie and invested into its characters, Lynch, in the last half and hour or so serves a surprise so powerful that I felt I had been hit on the head! Like the rug was pulled from where I was standing and I fell right on my face! It was the most terrifying experience that I had ever had while watching a movie. Everything that I believed was true was being proved wrong right in front of me, with me all helpless. And then the film ended, leaving behind a plethora of questions unanswered and my mind all disturbed.

Shock followed helplessness followed anger. Yes, I was angry. Angry that I was deceived. Deceived at a game thought I was good, and deceived fair and square. I had a virtually sleepless night, full of tossing and turning and terrifying nightmares. The next day, with my self confidence bruised, I decided to have a second viewing.

And I was blown! Blown by the performances, blown by the script, the music, the direction and what not. I realized that I was having the best cinematic experience I ever had relished every ounce of it. Mind you, I was not even an inch closer to solving the mystery, but I realized that was how it was meant to be. Like a dream, where you wake up and is confused about what you saw and what it means. Now after multiple viewings, I have my own theories, but you are never sure! :).

The performances are unbelievable. Naomi Watts as Betty Elms/Diane Selwyn puts in a performance that will leave your mouth open. In portraying two contrasting characters, Watts has displayed extraordinary depth and understanding of what is expected of her. If not for anything else, The movie is worth watching for her incredible performance. There is a scene where Betty is auditioning for a role in a movie. She has to perform a passionate scene with her character's father's friend. A movie scene within a movie scene, without even a kiss, the scene is one of the hottest I have ever scene and had the other character sweating in his pants. Watts' chemistry with Laura Harring is also commendable, most evident in their twin sex scenes, one of unbridled passion, and another spewing hatred. Let me mince no words in saying that Naomi Watts has produced the best ever female performance in cinema history. Period.

Laura Harring also deserves praise for playing the dark haired femme-fatale to perfection. All the other supporting cast play their parts well. In a curious case of casting, Lynch casts dwarf actor Michael J Anderson as the powerful mob boss Mr Roque. But he is always on a wheelchair, and you won't realize he is dwarf. He was fitted with over sized prosthetic legs to give him the appearance of an abnormally small man.

The screenplay and dialogues are excellent to say the least. It is apparent that Lynch wanted to have a 1950s retro feel to the movie; a young impressionable aspiring actress arriving at "the city of dreams" to fulfill her ambition. Everybody is helpful to her and she is easily cast into a lead role! The perfect dream start to any actor. The cinematography also follows the trend, being both a parody of the old soap operas while retaining a neo-noir darkness. The editing is crisp and the transition from multiple story arcs is seamless and fluid.

It would be blasphemous not to mention some exceptional scenes that this movie packs. For one, the famous Winkie's diner scene. A scene perfectly executed, it is the scariest experience I've ever had. That scene is technically brilliant and is a case in point for film students on how to execute a sequence. Here is a brilliant dissection of that scene. The club silencio scene too is brilliant. The most important plot twist in the movie occurs there and it is worth repeated viewings just for the mastery in its execution. Another brilliant scene is that of a meeting between the mob bosses and the filmmaker. The scene has excellent dialogue and brilliant acting. The tension in the air is defeaning and the animosity is impalpable. Brilliant.

Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch have a unique relationship. Starting from Blue Velvet, he has worked on the soundtrack of almost all of Lynch's films. And I have always believed he has always produced his best in Lynch's films. And he doesn't disappoint with Mulholland Dr.. He probably produces his darkest work yet, with contrasting the dark mystery of the Rita's identity with the bright cheerfulness of Betty's enthusiasm. Using Connie Stevens' "16 Reasons" and Linda Scott's "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" was a masterstroke as it gave authenticity to the retro feel in parts of the movie. But what was indeed emotionally touching was the rendition "llorando" at the club silencio scene, the Spanish version of Roy Orbison's famous ballad "crying". Along with the leads, the song brings us to tears, while giving an emotional arc to one of the best cinematic scenarios.

I had an advantage many people don't usually get, I knew nothing about the master class that is David Lynch before watching this movie. Nothing at all. So, the effect this experience had on me was unprecedented. Now, four months later, I have watched each of his ten feature films and his acclaimed Television series Twin Peaks. And my admiration for his genius has grown manifold. I believe with great conviction that he is one of the the greatest filmmakers ever and is my personal favorite. But Mulholland Dr. is his magnum opus - the movie he was working towards all his life. From the concept to the implementation, he takes us to the darkest corners of our subconscious leaving us emotionally drowned and naked. He has given new meaning to art that is cinema by not spoon feeding us and respecting our intelligence.

Overall, Mulholland Dr. is more than a movie to me, it is an inspiration. It reinforced my belief in the power of cinema and inspired me to write about films. If I ever become a filmmaker, I would like to become someone like ( or at least close to) David Lynch, making movies with the same intensity that he does. Even cinematically, the movie is a revelation. It is a mystery, a psychological thriller, a surrealist movie, a neo-noir, a movie about hollywood and what more! But to me, more than anything else, it is a love story! Behind all the film noir and confusing mystery, there is a love story. One of hope, happiness and life. But like most romances, this is also a tragedy. A tragedy which tugs at you and will haunt you for the rest of your life. If you can watch one only one movie in your life, make it this one!

Obra maestro!