David Lynch is one of the few directors that have managed to sustain a niche audience for his movies. His perception of movie making and how he views the world was very evident from his debut "Eraserhead". Many critics have questioned his style and some have not been convinced also. Many people refer to him as the master of mystery and horror. However a majority of his features have dwelled more in to the mind of the individual rather than presenting a linear story. It has not been his style to present everything understandably. To confuse the viewer and raise questions has been his speciality. Each one of his movies have been different to each other. But the common factor has always existed, character driven. One element that has been very repetitive in his movies is 'black comedy'. This theme he manages to beautifully blend with mystery and horror. I admire his obsession with the mystical world and surrealism. He really has the ability to depict all this in a convincing and believable manner. He is a director to be reckoned with. One would have hoped that he would make movies more occasionally. In recent interviews Mr Lynch has commented on saying that he draws inspiration from dreams and nightmares that he has. This is easy to relate to and this is transcended to the screen. Many of the mystery elements that pervade in his movies have never been explained by him. But he is an artist and I feel that as a movie viewer one should admire and appreciate his work as a piece of art or a painting rather than attempting to decipher and unravelling it.
Lost Highway is one of his movies that I highly regard as having cult status. It may well be in the archives for being the most complicated movie to understand. However I doubt it could hold a candle to the recent "Inception". It is presented in a mobius strip format where the beginning comes back in full circle. The noir elements very much exist in every form and character, right from the Patricia Arquette's femme fatale wife to Robert Loggia as the gangster. David Lynch used his own residence in the first 40 minutes. It may have saved on production costs but the setting was appropriate for mysterious environment. Initially we feel that we are about to watch a movie about a couple trying to discover who is sending them videotapes with the footage of their house. But this leads to more suspense and mystery after the wife is murdered. And the movie takes a totally different turn. The movie could have turned in to a murder mystery, but Lynch cleverly averts that. Barry Gifford supported Lynch on the script and has presented a fabulous outcome. A simple plot has been presented in a complicated manner. Every scene mystifies and raises questions to the point that it feels difficult to digest. Lynch once stated that O.J Simpson's murder trail inspired him to make this movie. To what extent that is true, I could not say.
SPOILERS Fred Madison and Renee are couple that live together who seem to have secrets that are hidden from each other. Fred doubts Renee about what she may be doing in her free time meanwhile Renee acts very mysteriously. One morning Renee picks up a video tape from the door step. They watch it together and there is a footage of the exterior of their residence. Later that night after a miserable session of attempted sex, Fred begins to doubt Renee even more as she sympathises with him. The next morning they receive another tape. This time it shows footage of them the couple sleeping together. This immediately become a concern to them and they contact the authorities. Two detectives arrive and after inspecting the residence fail to find any signs of forced entry. The same night at a party of Renee's friend Andy, a mysterious short man calls Fred's house and surprisingly he himself answers. The couple return back home to find nothing. Fred is then arrested and given the death sentence for Renee's murder. He however does not recall anything. After complaining of headaches his identity changes to a young mechanic Pete played by Baltzar Getty. He is released from prison and two detectives watch his movements. Surprisingly a woman who resembling Renee appears with the gangster Mr Eddy, by the name of Alice. She is a adult movie performer. Both Pete and Alice romantically acquaint secretly. However she holds a secret and has intentions of her own. END OF SPOILERS
This is one of those movies that really requires attention to the highest level. Uninterrupted concentration too can help fully enjoy the feature. To truly appreciate the movie for what is it is I would recommend that the direction and cinematography is payed attention to. The sub conscious mind also has to be engaged while viewing. Lynch and Gifford have written a script that is flaw less. They have incorporated their imagine to the full potential to create a mystery noir. This is one of Lynch's less disturbing movies but is full of psychological moments. There is confusion at every turn. Everybody will have their own individual theories and takes on the mystery elements. But I can't recall ever having heard of any being an official.
The background score by Angelo Baddlamenti is top rate and suits the tone of the movie perfectly. Many camera shots are sound effects help to assist the movie in terms of special effects. Bill Pullman has the best performance in the movie. The role required a lot of emotional acting and less dialogues and his paranoid expressions are speechless. Patricia Arquette is ravishing in her two different get ups. For a 2 hour 10 minutes movie it may seem long, but it is worth it for a true noir movie fan.
Lost Highway is one of his movies that I highly regard as having cult status. It may well be in the archives for being the most complicated movie to understand. However I doubt it could hold a candle to the recent "Inception". It is presented in a mobius strip format where the beginning comes back in full circle. The noir elements very much exist in every form and character, right from the Patricia Arquette's femme fatale wife to Robert Loggia as the gangster. David Lynch used his own residence in the first 40 minutes. It may have saved on production costs but the setting was appropriate for mysterious environment. Initially we feel that we are about to watch a movie about a couple trying to discover who is sending them videotapes with the footage of their house. But this leads to more suspense and mystery after the wife is murdered. And the movie takes a totally different turn. The movie could have turned in to a murder mystery, but Lynch cleverly averts that. Barry Gifford supported Lynch on the script and has presented a fabulous outcome. A simple plot has been presented in a complicated manner. Every scene mystifies and raises questions to the point that it feels difficult to digest. Lynch once stated that O.J Simpson's murder trail inspired him to make this movie. To what extent that is true, I could not say.
SPOILERS Fred Madison and Renee are couple that live together who seem to have secrets that are hidden from each other. Fred doubts Renee about what she may be doing in her free time meanwhile Renee acts very mysteriously. One morning Renee picks up a video tape from the door step. They watch it together and there is a footage of the exterior of their residence. Later that night after a miserable session of attempted sex, Fred begins to doubt Renee even more as she sympathises with him. The next morning they receive another tape. This time it shows footage of them the couple sleeping together. This immediately become a concern to them and they contact the authorities. Two detectives arrive and after inspecting the residence fail to find any signs of forced entry. The same night at a party of Renee's friend Andy, a mysterious short man calls Fred's house and surprisingly he himself answers. The couple return back home to find nothing. Fred is then arrested and given the death sentence for Renee's murder. He however does not recall anything. After complaining of headaches his identity changes to a young mechanic Pete played by Baltzar Getty. He is released from prison and two detectives watch his movements. Surprisingly a woman who resembling Renee appears with the gangster Mr Eddy, by the name of Alice. She is a adult movie performer. Both Pete and Alice romantically acquaint secretly. However she holds a secret and has intentions of her own. END OF SPOILERS
This is one of those movies that really requires attention to the highest level. Uninterrupted concentration too can help fully enjoy the feature. To truly appreciate the movie for what is it is I would recommend that the direction and cinematography is payed attention to. The sub conscious mind also has to be engaged while viewing. Lynch and Gifford have written a script that is flaw less. They have incorporated their imagine to the full potential to create a mystery noir. This is one of Lynch's less disturbing movies but is full of psychological moments. There is confusion at every turn. Everybody will have their own individual theories and takes on the mystery elements. But I can't recall ever having heard of any being an official.
The background score by Angelo Baddlamenti is top rate and suits the tone of the movie perfectly. Many camera shots are sound effects help to assist the movie in terms of special effects. Bill Pullman has the best performance in the movie. The role required a lot of emotional acting and less dialogues and his paranoid expressions are speechless. Patricia Arquette is ravishing in her two different get ups. For a 2 hour 10 minutes movie it may seem long, but it is worth it for a true noir movie fan.