Justin's Rating: I didn't watch this movie for the reason you think I did. I promise. I don't put myself through this kind of pain in any case.
Justin's Review: Let's be honest here. If you see this movie, it's because of one of two reasons. If it's for the lesbian sex, then fine, but don't delude yourself. There's a special little room in the video store for you, so just stop covering for your crippling pornography addiction by trying to masquerade as a serious film renter.

"Director Lynch gives us another film that is so snobby and elitist that the normal, non-David Lynchian mob will have no chance in hell of making sense of it"

The only other sane reason to rent Mulholland Dr. is that you've read countless critics' bedside diaries and have become impressed enough with their love-stricken infatuation as to completely ignore that rational red flag waving in your head that says, "STOP! No David Lynch movie has ever made sense! Or been in the least bit entertaining without making you throw up afterwards!" I know that was a long sentence, so the next one will be short. Don't fall for it.

As with Lost Highway, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, and Blue Velvet, director Lynch gives us another film that is so snobby and elitist that the normal, non-David Lynchian mob will have no chance in hell of making sense of it. There's more abstract symbolism than plot, more noir than lore (heh, thanks), and very little understanding as to the basic principles of linear time and common sense. I had to do some serious internet research to find plausible explanations as to the plot of the film, and I'm still not convinced that any of this makes sense. But hey, it looks stylish! It has lesbian sex, which means it could be an art film! It's set in Hollywood! It must be Oscar-worthy with boatloads of cred!

Both leads Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring play multiple roles, revolving around the traditional story of a girl who's moving out to L.A. to make it big in acting. Except it doesn't happen, and it sort of does. She gets amnesia, and people are trying to kill her. And there's a blue box that's a key to everything. And half of the movie is viewed from the eyes of a severely deluded person, perhaps. Or it might be a dream. And characters appear and vanish at the director's will. And there's a very, very, verrrrrrrry long and pointless sequence in a bizarre movie house/theater. And then, lesbian sex. If you can take all that jumble and mold it into a coherent story, be my guest. But it's easily one of the dumbest most-revered films I've seen in my life.

Understand that I'm not bashing Mulholland Dr. for taking the road less traveled, but for making that road incomprehensible to everyone while making us feel like we at least have to pretend that we understand the Deeper Meaning Of It All or else we'll look like morons to the rest of the mature film community. Forget that, I'll claim ignorance! I don't understand this film! It makes no sense! It's weird for weird's sake, and it leaves me hollow and sad inside! I'm going to bed now.

P.S.: Nevertheless to say, Roger Ebert loved this flick. Four stars.

The tackiness of this screenshot cannot be denied.

Didja Notice? [some sources: IMDb]

• The limo that transports Rita/Camilla Rhodes has the license plate 2GAT123. The same California license plate also appears in Beverly Hills Cop II, L.A. Story, Traffic, Pay It Forward, Crazy/Beautiful and National Security
• Betty Claims to be from Deep River, Ontario. This is the name of the apartments in Blue Velvet, another David Lynch film.
• At the end of the movie when Diane reaches into her nightstand drawer to grab the gun there appears to be a blue box in the drawer alongside the gun.
• When Betty puts the coins in the payphone outside Winkie's to call the police department, the coin return lever is flipped down. A coin will not go into a payphone when the lever is depressed.

Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?

Don't bother.

Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]

Mulholland Dr. was originally filmed in 1999 on a budget of $8 million as a made-for-TV pilot which wasn't picked up. New scenes were filmed one year later on a $7 million budget given by the French film studio Studio Canal to wrap up the open ending which had been left unresolved in the original version.

The film is dedicated to Jennifer Syme, a young actress whose story is startlingly similar to that of the character of Betty - but who in fact died after the bulk of the film was completed.

Official and Not-So-Official Websites

• One explanation for this movie
• Another explanation
• A final expalantion

Groovy Quotes

Cowboy: Now, you will see me one more time if you do good. You'll see me two more times if you do bad. Goodnight.

Betty Elms: It's strange calling yourself.

Gene: Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way.

Cynthia: You're broke!
Adam Kesher: But I'm not broke.
Cynthia: I know, but you're broke. Where are you?

Cowboy: Well, just stop for a little second and think about it. Will ya do that for me?
Adam Kesher: Okay, I'm thinking.
Cowboy: No. You're too busy being a smart aleck to be thinkin'. Now I want ya to think and quit bein' such a smart aleck. Can ya do that for me?

Coco Lenoix: Wilkins! Wilkins! If that damn dog craps in the courtyard one more time, I'm just gonna bake his little butt for breakfast!

Rita: Good night, sweet Betty.

If you liked this movie, try these:

• Lost Highway
• Blue Velvet
• Twin Peaks

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