I rented this DVD just last week and my first impression was about the same as some
of the other list members..."What the hell was that all about?"
Now.. I'm not a big David Lynch fan. I find his world is just a bit too bizzare for my
taste.But, I can honestly say that this was the first one of his movies that I
actually "got". Although, I'll admit the pieces didn't start falling into place until
a few hours after I watched it. I actually went back a day later and watched it
again, just to make sure I was on the right track. Here's what I came up with:
The entire first 3/4 of the picture is actually Diane Selwyn's dream (or possibly what
was going through her mind as she lay dying on her bed from a poorly aimed
self-inflicted gunshot). In this dream she is Betty, an idealized version of herself
(even her normally crooked teeth are now perfect), in the relationship that she had
hoped for with Camilla.
The last 1/4 of the movie are the events as they actually happened in "real life":
The failed relationship with Camilla, the limo ride to the party on Mulholland Drive,
the hit she has put on Camilla, etc.
All of these elements appear in the dream in a different fashion. Even people that she
casually spied at the party (The Cowboy, the blonde who kisses Camilla, Coco) wind up
appearing in the dream, ala "Wizard of Oz".
If you watch the movie again, you'll see Lynch does indeed provide enough clues to put
the story together. At any rate, I think Naomi Watts gave an incredible performance.
I'll be looking for more stuff from her.
The fact that this thread appeared here got me to thinking...in a way Joni used a
similar theme over 20 years ago in Harry's House/ Centerpiece. In the song (as I
interpret it) Harry's wife slips into a daydream of the life she dreamed of ( a little
cottage somewhere), while her real life is in shambles.
Just a few thoughts,
Franco
>Michael, how can you "enjoy" it if you didn't "GET" it? Lynch is
NOT
>high-minded. Lynch is NOT a magician. Lynch is the biggest
>one-note-rip-off ever given a blank check. You were TAKEN, Michael! Wake
>up!
