Phil’s Diary - [Blog @ http://www.philsdiary.net/]
I like cinema and watching films. More escapism for me. But it’s not often when I watch a film and am left completely bamboozled by it. Most films if they’re trying to make you think have a twist at the end (eg. Sixth Sense), they either keep you guessing, or mislead you throughout and then in the last few minutes, reveal all.
For the first time I watch Mulholland Drive this evening and boy is it different. The film builds making sense. There are oddities, but it all makes sense. The sets, filming and acting are great. The sets feel quite cold and empty in places but again they’re quite memorable, and definitely have atmosphere. The filming helps too with all sorts of memorable effects (not CG stuff, but blurs, filters and lighting). There are odd characters throughout, but they’re all very “strong”, you don’t forget them. It’s directed by David Lynch, and definitely has recognisable elements from Twin Peaks, in all of the above elements.
Then the last half hour just throws all that out of the window and for the whole of that time I was sitting watching the last half hour thinking “What in the.…?!?!”. It just throws the whole of the previous hour three quarters in the air, and you’re just left guessing for the whole half hour. Unless you’ve been prepared (read around, talked about it, or are daftly clever) you’ll really have no idea who is who, what is what, what’s about to happen nor any real understanding of just what has happened. The whole film just seems to turn inside out.
I can’t remember the last time I finished watching a film with no firm idea what on just happened. But this one did. I’m not left clutching at straws trying to figure out who was who and why what happened happened.
There’s just so much to figure out, it’s going to take me a few more watches I would think before I get anywhere.
Brilliant.
If you want something that leaves you with plenty to figure out once you’ve finished watching, make sure you watch this film.
If you’re after a film where you can put your brain into neutral and leave feeling warm and fuzzy, or shocked. Don’t bother. This isn’t the film for you.
9.5/10
Posted by Phil on December 04, 2003 07:49 PM | Categories: Cinema