So how do you even begin to review this film? 'INLAND EMPIRE', like most other Lynch masterworks defies categorization. You don't review a Lynch film. You probe it, analyze it, consider it but definitely not review it. So here goes.
My initial impression is that this film is a mess; unstructured, deliberately confusing and overlong. However, after many hours of thoughtful consideration by yours truly, some glimmers of light begin to shine through and some kind of logic is at operation here. The most surprising realization is that 'INLAND EMPIRE' is a continuation or mirror image of Lynch's previous film, 'Mulholland Drive', and is essential viewing prior to enjoying 'INLAND EMPIRE'. Many elements and scenes are recreated here, sometimes directly with the film within a film plot, a forbidden relationship between actors, identity changes of actors, etc. Sometimes the linkage is more tenuous, like in a similar coffee drinking scene, a script reading scene, the principles actors seeking refuge at the play/performance near the end of the film.
The first question is why recreate the plot of 'Mulholland Drive' in this film? And specifically the film within a film plot device? Both films force us to question the reality of the film we are watching. We are deliberately kept aware that we are watching a film but also we are ignorant if the actors are in character or not. This brings on a common theme in latter Lynch movies, namely identity shifting and role reversals, dreaming/hypnosis/dementia states, and of course acting/'living' states. As an aside, why is it required that the film being created with the film is always so cheesy and clichéd? Is it Lynches way of ridiculing the film making process of today? This film is Lynches most surreal since his 'Eraserhead'. An obvious link to this film is the rabbit people mirror the woman in the radiator in his first film. Both may represent an ideal yet unattainable state, whatever that may be. The surrealism in 'INLAND EMPIRE' comes from the machete job on the editing deck. Lynch stated that moving to digital was the most liberating aspect of this film and that he will not be going back to standard film. Watching this film gives the impression that the projectionist has the remote control and is flicking channels at will. Attempting to decipher the multi-plot lines is futile. So why do this in the first place? I believe that the scope and ideal of this film is to breakdown our resistance to film conventions that were previously written in stone. While this is dangerously close to boring or alienating the paying audience, the effect can be profound if received with the right intentions. For me the point was arrived suddenly at the comical and bizarre scene when Laura Dern's character describes painfully how her husband left her to join the circus (a possible clue to the meaning of the films title??). The scene itself was so jarring and yet funny that all previous attempt to tie it all together dissolved into the ether. I stopped analyzing and started just watching. I realized it didn't matter if it does not make sense, just enjoy the experience. Enjoy the concept of sitting in a dark room with a bunch of strangers watching the flickering screen and recreated sounds.
The length of the film at 3 hours is critical to attaining this state of film karma. If you resist you will exit cursing the $10 and 3 hours gone from your precious life. If you open up to the possibilities that film really does not matter, then many gems are there to be savored. The principle enjoyment of the film is the irrepressible acting of the amazing Lara Dern. If acting perfection is attained through breaking down barriers and opening your soul to the elements (and director) then Lara has attained something special in the film. How many times did you wish to look away from the level of uncomfortable display by Lara repeatedly? I wondered if her fragile love-making plea to 'look at me' was the polar opposite of Dennis Hoppers rock hard 'Don't look at me' rant from 'Blue Velvet'? Lara looked relieved but shattered at the ebullient final scene. I knew how she felt. The final song and dance routine was almost a reward to you the viewer for surviving the film. You have passed the test. You are a film goer reborn. Rejoice and be happy. Nothing will ever be the same again.
My initial impression is that this film is a mess; unstructured, deliberately confusing and overlong. However, after many hours of thoughtful consideration by yours truly, some glimmers of light begin to shine through and some kind of logic is at operation here. The most surprising realization is that 'INLAND EMPIRE' is a continuation or mirror image of Lynch's previous film, 'Mulholland Drive', and is essential viewing prior to enjoying 'INLAND EMPIRE'. Many elements and scenes are recreated here, sometimes directly with the film within a film plot, a forbidden relationship between actors, identity changes of actors, etc. Sometimes the linkage is more tenuous, like in a similar coffee drinking scene, a script reading scene, the principles actors seeking refuge at the play/performance near the end of the film.
The first question is why recreate the plot of 'Mulholland Drive' in this film? And specifically the film within a film plot device? Both films force us to question the reality of the film we are watching. We are deliberately kept aware that we are watching a film but also we are ignorant if the actors are in character or not. This brings on a common theme in latter Lynch movies, namely identity shifting and role reversals, dreaming/hypnosis/dementia states, and of course acting/'living' states. As an aside, why is it required that the film being created with the film is always so cheesy and clichéd? Is it Lynches way of ridiculing the film making process of today? This film is Lynches most surreal since his 'Eraserhead'. An obvious link to this film is the rabbit people mirror the woman in the radiator in his first film. Both may represent an ideal yet unattainable state, whatever that may be. The surrealism in 'INLAND EMPIRE' comes from the machete job on the editing deck. Lynch stated that moving to digital was the most liberating aspect of this film and that he will not be going back to standard film. Watching this film gives the impression that the projectionist has the remote control and is flicking channels at will. Attempting to decipher the multi-plot lines is futile. So why do this in the first place? I believe that the scope and ideal of this film is to breakdown our resistance to film conventions that were previously written in stone. While this is dangerously close to boring or alienating the paying audience, the effect can be profound if received with the right intentions. For me the point was arrived suddenly at the comical and bizarre scene when Laura Dern's character describes painfully how her husband left her to join the circus (a possible clue to the meaning of the films title??). The scene itself was so jarring and yet funny that all previous attempt to tie it all together dissolved into the ether. I stopped analyzing and started just watching. I realized it didn't matter if it does not make sense, just enjoy the experience. Enjoy the concept of sitting in a dark room with a bunch of strangers watching the flickering screen and recreated sounds.
The length of the film at 3 hours is critical to attaining this state of film karma. If you resist you will exit cursing the $10 and 3 hours gone from your precious life. If you open up to the possibilities that film really does not matter, then many gems are there to be savored. The principle enjoyment of the film is the irrepressible acting of the amazing Lara Dern. If acting perfection is attained through breaking down barriers and opening your soul to the elements (and director) then Lara has attained something special in the film. How many times did you wish to look away from the level of uncomfortable display by Lara repeatedly? I wondered if her fragile love-making plea to 'look at me' was the polar opposite of Dennis Hoppers rock hard 'Don't look at me' rant from 'Blue Velvet'? Lara looked relieved but shattered at the ebullient final scene. I knew how she felt. The final song and dance routine was almost a reward to you the viewer for surviving the film. You have passed the test. You are a film goer reborn. Rejoice and be happy. Nothing will ever be the same again.