Mesmirizing
I would imagine for any film critic that holds stock in his own opinion this must be intimidating. David Lynch is enigmatically artistic; at least that is what I would like to believe. He creates movies that at first glance seem disjointed. They are not simple films. You must scrape away layer upon layer of meanings and hidden meanings to get at what you believe is the true meaning. Even then you could find yourself miles away from the core of "his" true meaning. But that is where we discover the genius of David Lynch. He allows us to think freely of his films and gives us the ability to arrive at separte conclusions. Even after watching his film four times I can find something new (or some potentially new theory) during each viewing.
How many films can you say that about? Many people applauded Memento (of the same year 2001) for its tricky plot, and confusing story-telling. I myself enjoyed it. However, I understood it the first time. A guy tricks himself into creating a murder-mystery. He has no memory storing capabilities. I get it. I have seen it once, enjoyed it, and that is it. I might see it again but I will not do so for a while. Mulholland Drive leaves you with no such resolution by the end. Hell, there is no clear cut decision in the middle. Its all jumbled and moved around, and hides things from you... its confusing.
Some will call it garbage. I can see many viewers (and did when I was in the theatre) saying this movie is weird for the sake of being weird; nothing more. That is one theory, but you still wont ruin my fun! I choose to be an anaylist of some sophisticated puzzle, so give me that right! And here I go... in the following review I will spout off, several 'theories' on the meaning (both deep and shallow) of Mulholland Drive that I have arrived at. I have purposely steered clear of reading other reviews in hopes of not tampering my own opinions. If you have more opinions, please e-mail them to me or post comments below. I am open to new readings.
Before I start, there were some "clues" left in the DVD of this film. I will probably refer to some of these in my analysis (hopefully all of them). Some I believe are red herrings, but some might be useful to keep in mind. They are:
1) Pay particular attention in the begining of the film: there are at least two clues revealed at the begining.
2) Notice the appearances of the red lampshade.
3) Can you hear the name of the movie Adam Keshur is auditioning actresses for? Is it mentioned again?
4) An accident is a terrible event... notice the location of the accident.
5) Who gives a key and why?
6) Notice the robe, the ashtray, the coffee cup.
7) What is felt, realized, and gathered at Silencio?
8) Did talent alone help Camilla?
9) Note the occurences surrounding the man behind Winkies.
10) Where is Aunt Ruth?
THEORY 1: Dirty ole David Lynch
Why it makes sense: Who hasnt wanted to see a lesbian scene between Rita Hayworth and Grace Kelly. I can see little Davey Lynch sitting in front of a movie screen at the ripe ole age of 12 just dreaming of the day these two silver screen beauties swap spit and caress skin. This is obviously the least cerebral of my theories. But seriously, you have Betty who is dressed (blatantly when sneaking into Diane Selwyn's house ala Rear Window ) like Grace Kelly and Rita who even names herself after a poster (of Gilda that practically reflects her full figured brunette body. Maybe he even desided he could write a film around, did just that and fooled everyone into thinking it actually meant something above the lesbian affection between two lovely ladies that appear to be Hollywood legends. Works for me; he pulls big in Hollywood. My boy Lynch could do that.
Why it doesn't make sense: Because I want to believe in the higher thinking of David Lynch. I want to believe in his multi-tiered presentation, and want to believe that he wants us to think deep; deeper than a Ted Bundy grave. So, I will dig deeper than purely sexual fantasy realization!
THEORY 2: Timeline Theory
Why it makes sense: Picture this. A brunette is setup to die (Camilla Rose) by her jealous lesbian lover (Diane Selwyn). Instead of dying, she is involved in a nasty car accident that kills almost everyone but her. She is left with amnesia and can't even remember her own identity. She stumbles to an apartment and meets with a girl that is the spitting image of her ex-lesbo lover (ie Betty) and starts to remember things slowly. The end of the movie is her recollection of what happened to the real Diane Selwyn (IE some past events and what-not). If you play, editor, you can make it happen! Damnit I saw Pulp Fiction, this is possible.
Why it doesn't make sense: You have the whole problem of other details. Adam Keshur at a party in the second half mentions a break up with his wife that happened in the first half. This could be seen as a different timelie because some events (betty/camilla) might not necessarly happen at the same time. However, the two identitys of Camilla Rose (blonde in the first half, brunette in the second) cannot be ignored. Therefore this theory loses some momentum. DOH! It seemed so cool.
THEORY 3: Split Personality
Why it makes sense: There is a light side (blonde Betty) and a dark side (brunnette Rita). Obviously Betty is the goodie two-shoes, and Rita is mysterious and dangerous. Seems to make sense aesthetically. Slowly Betty begins to get a little more dangerous herself. Breaking and entering, dirty parts in movies, and of course slutty lesbian acts (hoooo daddy!). This joining of the two presents some sort of whore-ish BIG BANG (oooh, the pun!), causing their lives to be changed and flip flopped and reversed. Betty becomes the low-classed, dirty Diane Selwyn and Rita becomes the high-classed, dirty Camilla Rose.
Why it doesn't make sense: Well I was going somewhere with that, then lost it. You tell me. Is it patchable? It makes sense for a while and then falls apart at the end. This is a good addition as far as mise-en-scene is concerned but it doesn't explain the film in the full stretch. Maybe another beer will help me realize the potential of this theory. -burp!-
THEORY 4: Hollywood in the 50s vs Hollywood in the 90s
Why it makes sense: Take a look at the first part versus the second part of the film (IE where SILENCIO breaks it up). You have two stories of Naomi Watts: one of Betty and one of Diane. The story of Betty begins with a Jitterbug contest (see hint 1), that sends her to an opportunity in Hollywood that her Aunt sets up. She arrives with starry eyed visions. How cute. Much like the vision of Hollywood many moons ago.. where you could be 'discovered' and actors were all role models. Notice that in the first part there is no foul language: "horse pucky" and "smart alec" are spoken in place of "horse shit" and "smart ass." Try to find a dirty word in the first part. Betty herself is kind of cheesy. She seems to be a bit naive for movie-making; even naive for life in general. She has the attitude of a little girl hoping good things will happen (much like the story of many feminist flicks of the 50s era). And they do! She gets discovered, put up for a better part in a great movie, gets in no trouble trying to solve a Nancy Drew mystery and falls in love with a beautiful woman (well that didnt happen in the 50s).
Part two: Enter Diane. The actress that didnt make it. She is dirty, slutty, on the verge of suicide. She is obsessed with a woman that is about to marry a successful director and cannot handle it. She gets no parts in Hollywood and barely lives on what she makes. Diane is polar opposite of Betty. Sounds a little more true to life though. I mean in the 90s you have Tommy Lee and Pam Anderson bumpin nasties in front of thousands of voyeurs on VHS. Thats Hollywood reality these days and thats about as dirty as it gets. Its a social statement on Hollywood appearances then and now.
Why it doesn't make sense: There is little explanation for the director Adam Keshur (who seems to be significant), the cowboy (who seems to garner certain power), or the little blue box and key. This theory is pretty broad but doesnt explain a lot of details. Its more of an overall theme.
THEORY 5:Dream 1
Why it makes sense: Dream 1 would be a dream that Camilla Rose is having. You see immediately after the whole "guy behind winkies" (see hint 9) we see Rita sleeping. Maybe the rest of the movie is her dream. Or maybe just part. Betty might be a dream. In fact we dont see "Betty" until she wakes up out of this dream (she walks off the plane with a fake smile immediately after Rita awakes from the flower bed) and we see "Betty" for the last time after she takes the blue box following SILENCIO (see hint 7). Maybe this awakens her in a way. The rest of the box contains something of her past, and something about the truth. Betty is really an apirition reminscient of Diane Selwyn.
Why it doesn't make sense: We still have the problem of the timeline. And there are things that happen outside of her conscious (IE the cowboy, the hired killer). Also there is more going on with Betty than there is with Rita in the first half. Betty/Diane seems to be the main focus. This also doesnt seem very deep. There is little purpose to this theory, other than some amnesia story...no fun!
THEORY 6:Pandora's Box
Why it makes sense: It took some research on my part. Pandora's Box seems to pull a lot of weight. I am proud of this because it seems to make sense. Pandora's Box is a piece of greek mythology. Pandora (a woman) was told not to open a box given to her by a titan (Prometheus I believe). She became curious, opened it, and unleashed evil and misery. Our Pandora is either Betty or Rita. The Pandora's box is the little blue box, opened by Rita, found by Betty. Upon opening the box, the movie takes a dramatic shift towards Betty's demise. Her life takes a 180. She is no longer looking forward to a bright Hollywood future, she is looking down the barrell of a gun at a depressed failed career and love life. And who has the blue box at the end? The most evil and dirty of them all: the guy behind the dumpster of Winkies who is "controlling it all" according the the guy who was having the nightmares (see hint 9). Oh yeah, we have a greek mythology parallel...EAT IT!
Why it doesn't make sense: I see no reason for it not to make sense. On a deeper level of thinking it seems to be pretty damn straight. I guess if anything SILENCIO isnt explained her but because its in a foreign language and I am a big dumb American, I can't really tell if there is a straight clue there or not. Take it for what it is worth. For my money this is probaby the second best theory but the most imaginative one.
THEORY 7:Dream 2
Why it makes sense: The mother of all my theories. Probably the most obvious and realized by anyone digging deep enough. The first half of the movie is Diane Selwyn's dream. She dreams of being a Hollywood star or great actor (or both if she can be). She is optimistic, beautiful, and classy (like Grace Kelly). She gets an 'in' with her aunt and is discovered immediately. Literally given a shot at a big film in her first attempt. Everything seems to be perfect for ole Betty. Then there is Rita who she falls in love with. Rita has amnesia... Betty can almost form her into what she desires. Their adventure of solving a mystery seems to be some kind of fake movie story (well... uhh... sounds a lot like this film I just got done watching). Their match seems to be one made in Hollywood.
Then she wakes up. She is no longer Betty, she is Diane Selwyn. Rita is Camilla Rhodes. She is a former lover of Diane's but Diane would like to remove the former as she is tormented by Camilla. Camilla is actually getting married to her director Adam Keshur, which only hurts Diane more. She finally hires some dirtbag to kill Camilla. They meet at ole Winkies, where the name Betty becomes concious (its the waitresses name). Also she is given the blue key = blue box from the dream (see below).
Other people in her dream world come to play. Koko is there but instead of being her landlady she is Adam's mother. Diane's Aunt is actually dead (see hint 9), not in Canada doing a shoot. She left Diane some money; no aparent lead. In fact most people seem more real around her in the second half. Characters like Koko, the Cowboy, and even the creepy wheel chair guy seem unreal in the dream half but are either realistic or not apparent in the reality segment.
Lets take a deeper look at Adam in this scenario. In her dream, Adam is completely tormented and torn apart. He is stripped of control over his film, his career is stolen from him, his wife cheats on him (with Billy Ray Cyrus: Mullet in FULL affect BTW!), and he is reduced to begging a cowboy (in LA!?) for his life back. Betty sees Adam (in her dreams) and runs from him. Why? Because conciously he poses as a threat to her reality. She denies it by escaping him in her dream. In real life, he torments her by tearing away her love. Also, Camilla Rhodes is someone else in the first half (not Rita; see the picture of her) and therefore has no connection with Adam; making Diane's dream "safe".
And the little blue box? It is very dreamlike representation of a key... a very abstract object. It is directly related to the blue key left by the murderer of Camilla Rhodes. Maybe a trigger in her dream for her to wake up. As she gets closer to opening it, she begins to wake up.
Why it doesn't make sense: The old creepy folks. Yeah the guys that torment her at the end forcing her to kill herself. Who the hell are they? Go to the next theory which can be read as a corralary to the Dream 2 theory.
THEORY 8:All Drugged up and nothing better to think of
Why it makes sense: Well it may have something to do with the blue key/blue box. What would explain it better is (the fucked up movie scape goat) drugs. In the opening (see hint 1) you can see red sheets (from Diane's house) and sounds of breathing through some device before the movie/dream begins. Maybe she (Diane) is inhaling some hallucinigenic thingy and that triggers hallucinations. This would explain the dream (Dream 2 above) and the old people the force her to bite a silver one.
Why it doesn't make sense: Because drugs can always be an answer in some strange film. Dream 2 by itself might be better. You have to consult Lynch-dogg on this one. He used inhalant drugs before (see Blue Velvet) in his films, why not make it the crux of his latest and greates?
THEORY 9:I fear old people.
Why it makes sense: They are old, wriggled and creepy when they keep smiling like that. Damnit, if they come into my house during a thunderstorm and keep harrassing me I might just shoot myself (if I were a lesbian whore).
Why it doesn't make sense: Because I am running on fumes. Thats about all I got left in me!
A movie that produced this much though must get at least a 9 in my book. So there ya go! It's a 9!!! Not a full fledged classic yet, but thought provoking enough to get in my head and not leave for months. Thank you Mr. Lynch, my only request is that you do a DVD that has commentary this time so I can solve this Scooby Doo mystery. Zoiks! The DVD has jack on it besides the movie and trailer!! |
Tom Blain Rating: 9 
 |
Review by:Tom Blain
Classic film buff within the JAC stratosphere. (Warning: he took film classes.) | | Average Rating: | 5.762400 | Reviewers Last 5 Reviews
Solitary Man - 5 out of 10
James and the Giant Peach - 5 out of 10
My Neighbor Totoro - 8 out of 10
Ponyo - 6 out of 10
Up in the Air - 9 out of 10
|
Number of
Movies Reviewed: | 202 |
| Median Rating: | 6 |
| Mode Rating: | 7 |
| Reader Ratings: | 6.259300 |
| Jackass Average: | 6.253700 |
| Reviewer is more stingy than your average Jackass. |
Similar reviews:
The Ring by Matt Fuerst - 10 out of 10. (Same actor)
Le Divorce by Mike Long - 3 out of 10. (Same actor)
I Heart Huckabees by Cinema Guru Boy - 7 out of 10. (Same actor)
Dune by Tom Blain - 5 out of 10. (Same director)
Twin Peaks by Tom Blain - 8 out of 10. (Same director)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me by Tom Blain - 6 out of 10. (Same director)
VISITOR REVIEWS
Average User Rating is a 7 |
| the weasel | 6 | August 7th, 2003 |
its interesting on an intellectual level, but not too entertaining. the core plot/characters could use some sprucing up.
the technical elements (imagery,editing,iconography) are fairly exceptional.
but that doesn't make it fun to watch (a hot lesbian scene does though)
good for study, bad for fun. |
| guy | 5 | August 5th, 2003 |
Theory 453:
This movie isn't very good. It's feels every bit hacked together, roughly trying to incorporate some complicated themes that were supposed to play out over a series of episodes.
It's however, perfect fodder for fan-pontification. its loose ends could occupy you for eternity. It's very much like traditional dream analysis and astrology - it's vague enough for you to apply any meaning you want, allowing you to make this movie into just about whatever you want it to be.
However, like many Lynch movies before it, it is 'out there' simply for the sake of being 'out there'. The story isn't that solid. There really isn't any mystery to unravel, just pseudo-analytic detangling of symbolism. The characters aren't that interesting. It isn't remotely consistant.
yes, academically it's vaguely interesting, with its artistic aspirations and layered meanings and themes and dream theory. it would be an excellent teaching tool to discuss palette usage in editing, music accompanyment to establish tone, visual means to convey complicated emotions such as projection, regret, confliction, and subconscious desires through symbolism.
but as entertainment: it's overrated.
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| Yoosuf | 8 | June 30th, 2002 |
| I think Lynch here is putting dream and reality into the mix and letting the audience figure it out (first Winkie scene: dream becomes reality to the heavy eyebrow dude). Remember, in a dream, no matter how much you want to make sense of some things, they won't (like the Cowboy). Personally, everything before the opening of the box is a dream by Diane (Betty). I think she put everybody who had some power over her (Camilla, Director, and hired killer) into either her control (Camilla becoming the helpless Rita) or in horrible situations (Director getting pissed on by evil conspiracy and Billy Ray Cyrus/hired killer has a bad day and has to kill three people instead of just one). Koko had a nice role as the apartment manager, because she didn't seem to like her son and Camilla hooking up (putting her slightly on Diane's good side). Diane had to generate this whole wacky conspiracy to rationalize how the other blonde got the leading role instead of her. Ultimately, Diane couldn't keep reality straight, and so the freaky old people freaked her into suicide. Just like the singer on stage: the illusion (the song) brings them to tears, but when she collapses (like opening the blue box) suddenly we are all faced with the reality of the situation. But even still, the song (and the illusion) continues. Even after waking up from the dream (thanks to the cowboy) Diane is dillusional, and hallucinates that Rita (wearing red dress)is alive, even though the blue key is on the coffee table, meaning she's already been killed. The song continues, as does the madness. Only after suicide is there silence. So basically, its kinda like A Beautiful Mind. If you convince yourself that EVERYTHING before the box opening scene is a dream, and everything afterwards is real, except for the parts that make absolutely no sense (Cowboy, old people), which are hallucinations, then (at least to me) this movie makes total sense. So Theory 7 & 8 work for me. |
| Da Bonghit | 8 | May 16th, 2002 |
This movie is strange. Definitely a good flick. If you rent it, make sure you'll have it for a couple of days, 'cause one viewing just isn't gonna do it; Ranjan mentions that also. What makes this movie bearable, the first time through, is the hot chick-on-chick action. Just knowing its there makes you pay less attention to the details of the film. It was the second viewing that helped me understand quite a bit more. Unfortunately, I'm still in the dark on a lot of it. The Silencio! bit really threw me.
I really enjoyed this movie and have scowered the internet to get answers to some questions. Tom picked up on the big ones (and most of the little ones), so I won't add any. Good review, Tom. |
| Ranjan | 8 | May 16th, 2002 |
| I just rented the movie after Tom insisted that I do. Especially after 1 hour and 40 minutes into the movie. NICE!!! =-) First off, George Lynch and David Lynch...completely different people. I spent a good part of the opening credits wondering why a hair band guitarist is directing a movie. Now that I have that out of the way, I spent the first part of the movie going "HUH!?!?" I have to agree with the Pandora Box theory of Tom's....it's the first thing that came to mind. I didn't put as much thought into the movie as Tea Bags, mostly b/c I'm a lazy sack of crap. I just went with the first thing that came to my mind. I'm going to have to watch the movie again because I was greatly distracted by the first lesbo scene. Right when Rita took her towel off, there was this blur covering her cooch. Now I'm wondering why there was a blur on her cooch. Was there something grotesque hidden behind that blur? Was it to mock the infamous scene from the Crying Game? Did I get some crappy censored version? Does the DVD version not have the blur? I mean seriously.....what's with the blur!!!! I spent the rest of the movie wondering why there was a blur! HELP ME! I want to know what's behind the blur!!!!! And finally, were those scarey old people the same old people that was in the Black Hole Sun video???? |
| VISITOR COMMENTS |
| Thomas Blain | December 6th, 2002 | Reply |
| Does anyone have any more theories about this film. I love trying to break down Lynch films, and figure out what each character means. I think the theories I have are a good start and some work pretty well, but I still feel they are a bit incomplete and can be expanded on. Please discuss! |
| Matt Fuerst | December 13th, 2002 | Reply |
| My coworker won't leave me alone about the lesbian scene in this one... sheesh. |
| StikeDC | June 24th, 2003 | Reply |
| Rita's cooch-blur is, apparently, the idea of Lynch himself, who wanted to "protect" LEH from Internet uploads. (Or is it downloads? No, definitely UP-loads...) Really ruined it for me, I had seen it in the theater when it came out and had my popcorn all ready to pop, but after the blur, nothing popped... Lynch, you suck! |
| DonnaD | July 17th, 2003 | Reply |
Great ideas! Here is another site with a theory and also a bunch of comments posted.
http://www.franksreelreviews.com/reviews/mdexplain.htm |
| Patrick | August 22nd, 2003 | Reply |
Mulholland Drive - Diane is Judas, Rita is Jesus, Adam is us, Cowboy and Coco are God. Clues: Diane "left the 12," last supper, kiss at last supper, skull place, everything Cowboy says, Cowboy's white hat, brown cowboy hats in Diane's apartment, "I know what you have to do but let me do it," "You came back," Judge gives Adam his place back after he makes the right choice, Gene Clean - Jesus became man, Jesus picture in hotel room, assassin kills a long-haired guy who looks like Jesus and tries to cover it up but can't, "all the luck in the world."
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| Mike | September 24th, 2003 | Reply |
| i thought the scary old people were diane's conscience. they were small and came out of the box..which could be the key or pandora's box or whatever?..and got increasingly bigger and louder until diane killed herself. |
| eyup | September 28th, 2003 | Reply |
this film is a part of lynch art. it is my best film also. lynch shows his professionalty in this film. the theatre scene is the best part of the film (i cried every time i watched the theatere scene).
congratulations lynch..
E.G |
| Susanne | November 23rd, 2003 | Reply |
| I didn't like it at all. For the first time in my life I've watched a movie without understanding shit. I can't really understand the 'genious' declaration. It's surreal, but not very good if you ask me. But if someone can leave me a clue to the meaning and enlighten me, I'll be happy for an email about it! |
| cassandra | December 3rd, 2003 | Reply |
| This movie was truely thought provoking and anyone that says they dont like it because they didnt understand it, should not be so cynical and watch it again. The lesbian scene was not made for all you desperate loosers, who simply cant get any. So to the idiot who wrote above stop complaining about the blur on the private regions. There are movies for people like you they are called 'pornos'. |
| creepo | September 23rd, 2004 | Reply |
| A beautifully creepy film. Your dream theory # 2 is right on, I think. the man behind the dumpster is a symbol of Diane's guilt, the hit man probably hid the key behind the dumpster for her to find. When she found the key she knew that Camilla was dead. She then goes home, broods over her pathetic life, goes to sleep( beginning of the movie) and dreams the first half of the movie. When she opens the box reality sets in. |
| Darin | February 28th, 2005 | Reply |
| Dream #2 is basically correct. The entire film follows the last few hours in the mental life of Diane. The first hour and 45 minutes are Diane's sleeping dream. She has repressed her identity, projected her idealised self onto Betty, and takes the persona of Rita. Various clues appear symbolically to her as to her identity. The scenes in this dream portion are not random but expressions of the conflicts in Diane's psyche. The dream ends when she discovers who she is. The rest is a combination of waking reality, flashbacks, and delusions and hallucinations as Diane's mental state crumbles before committing suicide. There are many clues that point to this interpretation, which, once you understand it, is fairly straightforward. You just have to separate the actual sequence of events (in reality) from the film's sequence of events (subjective experience of Diane). I don't think Lynch is too "intelligent" to provide such a "simple" interpretation. Yes, it's obvious, but it's also the one that makes the most sense. |
| Ed | April 12th, 2005 | Reply |
This is the "Mafia Replacement Theory"
We actually see two women die as Diane, Betty (her former name), and
one we only know is Diane.
The hoods want their girl to get the role, but for some reason, it becomes necessary for all the strong blond competition to become brainwashed into becoming Diane, before they are murdered.
Betty is murdered because her role is taken by the original Camilla, after
her original companion becomes the new Camilla... likely the Camilla name is only a stage name to begin with |
| sneakitawc the idiot | May 2nd, 2005 | Reply |
| the constant p.o.v shots, slowness of action, and wobbly cameras filled me with a tamed rage. like a grain of salt in a snowstorm (mulholland drive being grain of salt, not me)! yeah!! the inclusion of a jackie chan type character to pick up the pace while simoultaniously providing us all with a sprinkle of light comic relief would have solved these omnipresent blotches. 2/5 |
| weasel | May 3rd, 2005 | Reply |
| What movie can't Jackie Chan fix? |
| pegasus | May 17th, 2005 | Reply |
thanks, you did some great work:)
i think it is pandora's box + dream 2.
one rita opened the pandora's box, dream and reality switched role. and it became diane's dream |
| trent | July 21st, 2005 | Reply |
ya i absolutely love david lynch and i saw that The Directors about him and was utterly suprised at his soft spoken manner. Kinda mumbles and speaks with a hazy demeanor but really says some interesting stuff.
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| Brian | October 12th, 2005 | Reply |
| This movie is one of the most creative movies I have ever seen. I have watched it about 10 times, and I think that most of your theories are correct in one form or another. I agree that Dream #2 theory is the closest. Lynch himself has stated many times that some things in this movie are not meant to have explanation. The first time I watched the film I had no idea what was going on, but in each scene, I was totally entertained by the characters alone. The creepy old people, the person in Winkies with the dream (Creepy fella), The Cowboy, and the signature Lynch Midget! |
| Brian | October 12th, 2005 | Reply |
| ...and how could I have forgotten one of the funniest scenes ever in any film....the dramatic Coffee scene with Adam Kesher, and the Camilla Rhodes advocates. |
| Padraig | October 17th, 2005 | Reply |
| One of the best and thought provoking films ever. After 2nd viewing I thought I had it sussed after 5 viewings I was as confused as ever but after another couple I had came to a conclusion of it being dream related and now ive read others opinions the final few pieces I couldnt fit togther (ie the Cowboy) are more understandable. Naomi Watts has became succesful but what of Laura Elena Harring or Justin Theroux? |
| dolores | November 24th, 2005 | Reply |
| I saw this movie years ago and only once but still am slightly haunted by it. My simple explanation,although not backed up by any close analysis of a timeline is that the first part of the film was a pre-death hallucination-all in a flash. I believe Lynch didn't tie all the peices together to allow for discussion and thought and/or because he didnt really care about how it all fell together. Unfortunately this left me with the feeling of a piece that was careless. I loved this film and will see it again surely. |
| Patrick Trombly | August 24th, 2006 | Reply |
It's really not subjective at all.
Rita/Camilla is Jesus and Diane/Betty is Judas. Adam is mankind. The pool is the garden of eden. Blue is good/sacred, pink is evil/profane. The hitman is Lucifer.
Otherwise why would he be asking a prostitute if she's seen any new girls?
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| xuqrOQynn | August 26th, 2009 | Reply |
| The religious interpretations are most interesting. I first saw the dream characters as Olympic Gods (archetypes), but then there was that Last Supper (LS) image at the party which introduced the Christian possibility. You remember the long blurry shot that finally comes into focus? That is the LS iconography, even if only for a split-second! |
| Ascoli Piceno (Montreal) | August 31st, 2010 | Reply |
This is one of the most incredible movies ever produced. I love your 'Pandora's box' theory. I think it is right on. Also, your dream # 2 is very acceptable.
These are the parts of the movie defying any kind of explanation:
1) Aunt Ruth's final appearance immediataly after 'Pandora's box' is opened. Honestly, this scene scared the excrement out of me, simply because it did not fit into the sequence of things, and because Ruth is supposed to be in Canada.
2) The cowboy waking Diane up.
He opens the door twice....once with a smile on his face and we see Diane alive and sleeping. Then a second time he has a very serious (depressed) look on his face and we see the rotting dead body of, is it Diane?
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