Review of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) by Greg S — 05 Jul 2009

This is a film as divided as it is divisive, much like the central necklace in the poster to the left of this review. The film is divided into two separate and distinct sections much like audience reactions and there are two distinct approaches to viewing it. As a strange prequel/epilogue hybrid to the series or as a stand alone film. In my opinion it works brilliantly as both but has almost contrasting meanings depending on which you choose.

As a continuation of the series there is a strange distance, although there are some familiar sights all the main characters are missing and the mood is much more intense. It does answer some questions but while doing so also undermines some of the foundations the series had founded. Most importantly though is that it provides some new-found insight into the more mysterious side of the show. Asking more questions, providing more clues whilst remaining ever elusive and fleshing out the character of Laura who had previously existed as little more than words despite her crucial importance to the show.

Although most of Laura's fate was previously recounted throughout the shows early episodes it is still a shock to see it unfold before you. Her desperate degradation and down slide into the seedy side of her small town is a tragic story and seen as a stand alone work becomes even more shocking. If you don't have the previously gained knowledge that these demons and supernatural forces are in fact real ,and not some drug fuelled coping mechanism, then the horror of Laura's story becomes even more potent.

This film doesn't quite have the technical finesse ever present throughout the series but it is so much more powerful on a base and visceral level. Lynch here is unfiltered, and free from the networks he has created a film that is incredibly evocative and moving , if a little rough around the edges.