Review of The Grandmother (1970) by Ivan M — 03 May 2012
Wow. This early, half-hour short from David Lynch is without a doubt the most disturbing film I've ever seen in my life. Disturbing, not in the way that modern, torture porn horror movies are disturbing, but in an extremely well-crafted, terrifying atmosphere created by Lynch that leaves a tremendous impact on the viewer.
The film is told to us through two different kinds of visuals, combining motion picture footage with animation. It seems to me that the film, in literal terms, is about a boy who is abused by his uncaring parents and grows a huge plant that consequently gives birth to a loving Grandmother for the boy.
However this is not nearly as simple as how it sounds. This is a film in the truest sense of the word and so cannot be experienced through anything other than seeing it. I watched this in a film theater as part of a group of Lynch's shorts that were screening along with Eraserhead, and I must say that sitting in the dark and seeing the film on a large screen in beautiful 16mm completely absorbs you into the horror of the movie.
Of course it is absolutely definitely not for everyone but you cannot deny that it is something very special whether you like it or not.
This review of The Grandmother (1970) was written by Ivan M on 03 May 2012.
The Grandmother has generally received positive reviews.
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