I approached David Lynch's new film 'Mulholland Drive' neither as a harsh critic or a staunch fan. Maybe that's the best way to go about it, because I came away with a greater enjoyment than some hardcore 'Twin Peaks' fans who went.
It's not that the movie was a disappointment to them, in the way that 'Lost Highway' was for some. Nor is it too great a departure from his style, as 'The Straight Story' was. It's that 'Mulholland Drive' has a pretty complex plot and at the same time, lots of pleasant distractions. Someone focusing more on the humor of references to 'Twin Peaks' or hyperbolic acting would understandably be confused when a turn in the story requires them to have been noticing details.
Essentially a movie about dreams, 'Mulholland Drive' begins with a car crash on the Los Angeles road of the same name. A beautiful amnesiac (Laura Harring) wanders away from it, finding refuge in an empty apartment, which turns out to belong to the aunt of Betty (Naomi Watts), a cheerful aspiring actress. As the two become friends, Betty decides to help 'Rita' find her lost identity, even though it may involve a dangerous syndicate that controls the casting in Hollywood.
For the most part, its light in feel. The danger Rita represents pokes its head up rarely. Thus, the look of the movie is of a beautiful Los Angeles. It's Betty's view of the world, stylized and nicely wardrobed. That, too, tends to be a distraction.
The real challenge in watching the movie is deciding what's important. Is it the humor? Betty's chipperness and excitement about the mystery goes to charming extremes. Justin Theroux's character of a film director is a fish-out-of-water because of his normal reactions to an abnormal world.
Is it the references to Lynch's former work? I watched 'Twin Peaks' when I was far too young to understand it, but from what others tell me, 'Mulholland Drive' plays a lot on it. The Cowboy in the film refers to the Giant in the show. Actors from the show make appearances. The allusions are blatant enough that 'Twin Peaks' fans laugh at their recognition.
But, it really comes down to the appreciation of details. You need them in order to construct the story later. Humor and references are fun, but they, along with plot, are only part of the story.
If you see 'Mulholland Drive' (and I suggest you do) and are still confused, I've written a walk-through of my interpretation of it. I know it's only one reading, and many of you will follow the story even better than I did. However, if you still want to read another opinion, it's at or will be very soon.
If it turns out that you like 'Mulholland Drive' and the chance it gives you at constructing story, you will probably also like 'Memento' and 'The Usual Suspects.' If you like David Lynch, a lot of people have missed out on his version of 'The Elephant Man,' which is very good. Also, if you're a Lynch fan, you probably need to lighten up. Try watching 'Tank Girl.' Not only does Naomi Watts (Betty) show up as Jet Girl, but Ice T plays a half-man, half-kangaroo'now what's better than that?
