Mullholland Dr - Can someone explain this movie to me?
06-14-03, 11:34 PM
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Mullholland Dr - Can someone explain this movie to me?
I just wasted 2 and a half hours watching this. Someone please explain to me what I am missing in this film. I did enjoy the lesbo seesion though, but I am still lost. Anyone?
06-14-03, 11:39 PM
#2
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Read this: http://archive.salon.com/ent/movies/...rive_analysis/
When I first saw MD, I loved it, but was totally confused. I read that article, and by the time I was finished, everything made sense. Well... almost everything.
Rob
When I first saw MD, I loved it, but was totally confused. I read that article, and by the time I was finished, everything made sense. Well... almost everything.
Rob
06-15-03, 12:43 AM
#3
You need a MD after seeing MD.
06-15-03, 10:11 AM
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Try doing a search on this topic, we have many threads about it and one does pop up every so often.
Here's a link to another one.
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...lholland+Drive
Here's a link to another one.
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...lholland+Drive
06-15-03, 10:26 AM
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While Premier is not a magazine I particularly comfortable using a a source, this month's has an article about the wonderful Naomi Watts (Betty/Diane), who says hers was a "reality-based" character, whose unrequited love and sadness bordering on dementia has led her to create "the wish, the dream, the fantasy, the projection" of Betty."
Well put, IMO. I too was puzzled by this film after my first watching but knew I had to see it again (and again). Each subsequent viewing has helped me undestand plot points and allusions a bit more, and MD has become my all-time favorite film.
Well put, IMO. I too was puzzled by this film after my first watching but knew I had to see it again (and again). Each subsequent viewing has helped me undestand plot points and allusions a bit more, and MD has become my all-time favorite film.
06-16-03, 07:22 AM
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Wait! Wait! The emperor has no clothes.!!
As far as I'm concerned, Mulholland Drive was a slick cinematic trick.
To paraphrase somebody whom I'm forgetting,"There's no there, there."
J
As far as I'm concerned, Mulholland Drive was a slick cinematic trick.
To paraphrase somebody whom I'm forgetting,"There's no there, there."
J
06-16-03, 06:50 PM
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I always feel like a fraud saying I love Bergman when initially I didn't like his films. Inititally, I didn't understand his work at all. I got the basic gist of the stories, but didn't enjoy them. His craft was admirable, but I didn't connect with the material. It wasn't until I read reviews and had other people explain the symbolism and nuances to me that I had found a greater appreciation for his work. When I re-watched Bergman's films, I enjoyed them more when I kept those explanations in mind.
To stray off topic a bit, my question is, is that okay? Do I have to understand symbolism and nuance myself in order to truly 'get' the films? Or is it alright that my understanding comes from the commentary tracks and other reviews? Obviously these hidden meanings are not the sole factor in determining the quality of the movie, but you can't deny that they are present.
To stray off topic a bit, my question is, is that okay? Do I have to understand symbolism and nuance myself in order to truly 'get' the films? Or is it alright that my understanding comes from the commentary tracks and other reviews? Obviously these hidden meanings are not the sole factor in determining the quality of the movie, but you can't deny that they are present.
06-17-03, 11:23 AM
#14
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally posted by CitizenKaneRBud
To stray off topic a bit, my question is, is that okay? Do I have to understand symbolism and nuance myself in order to truly 'get' the films? Or is it alright that my understanding comes from the commentary tracks and other reviews? Obviously these hidden meanings are not the sole factor in determining the quality of the movie, but you can't deny that they are present.
To stray off topic a bit, my question is, is that okay? Do I have to understand symbolism and nuance myself in order to truly 'get' the films? Or is it alright that my understanding comes from the commentary tracks and other reviews? Obviously these hidden meanings are not the sole factor in determining the quality of the movie, but you can't deny that they are present.
06-17-03, 01:35 PM
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The problem is not that you don't understand the film, the problem is that your real understanding is 'buried' under the more 'rational' aspects of your mind. Lynch's films speak directly to the subconscious. The subconscious doesn't use the language of associations, of labeling and dividing.
That's why repeat viewings are a must. It's kind of like when you were a kid and maybe one game you tried was repeating a word or phrase until it began sounding funny. That's because after a time it loses its original context and just becomes a 'sound.'
When you watch these films repeatedly you are able to just let go and drop your original associations and the volume of the chatter in your ordinary mind. Then you realize you understood the film from the beginning, it was obvious, you just were focusing on one aspect or trait while not being aware of the whole.
Anyway, don't listen to this philosophizing, just watch the film again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
That's why repeat viewings are a must. It's kind of like when you were a kid and maybe one game you tried was repeating a word or phrase until it began sounding funny. That's because after a time it loses its original context and just becomes a 'sound.'
When you watch these films repeatedly you are able to just let go and drop your original associations and the volume of the chatter in your ordinary mind. Then you realize you understood the film from the beginning, it was obvious, you just were focusing on one aspect or trait while not being aware of the whole.
Anyway, don't listen to this philosophizing, just watch the film again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
06-17-03, 08:02 PM
#16
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Mulholland Drive is a very rational film after you get the basic point:
Before reading this spoiler, remember that's is much, MUCH more satisfying to figure it out on your own.
Hope that helps you out. My apologies to the great David Lynch for summing it up so easily.
Before reading this spoiler, remember that's is much, MUCH more satisfying to figure it out on your own.
Spoiler:
Hope that helps you out. My apologies to the great David Lynch for summing it up so easily.
06-17-03, 09:36 PM
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I love when people try to explain this film or lost highway.
hint: you can't. and you shouldn't.
just enjoy the pretty pictures.
hint: you can't. and you shouldn't.
just enjoy the pretty pictures.
06-17-03, 09:44 PM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Originally posted by Sunday Morning
I love when people try to explain this film or lost highway.
hint: you can't. and you shouldn't.
just enjoy the pretty pictures.
I love when people try to explain this film or lost highway.
hint: you can't. and you shouldn't.
just enjoy the pretty pictures.
However, Lynch has said that Lost Highway isn't meant to be comprehended. It's meant to be viewed as a nightmare. Nothing makes sense. Just like a nightmare-ish dream. That's what Lynch has said. And then there's that time when the writer spilled his guts and explained what he had intended the meaning to be (and got a bona-fied ass whooping from Lynch).
So you're right about Lost Highway, but I have to disagree with you on Mulholland Dr.
06-17-03, 09:45 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
Originally posted by Sunday Morning
I love when people try to explain this film or lost highway.
hint: you can't. and you shouldn't.
just enjoy the pretty pictures.
I love when people try to explain this film or lost highway.
hint: you can't. and you shouldn't.
just enjoy the pretty pictures.
Lost Highway, on the other hand, takes a little more effort, but is essentially the same kind of deal, in reverse.
06-18-03, 08:14 PM
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Originally posted by troystiffler
Actually, Mulholland Dr. DOES have an INTENDED, comprehensable story line. Lynch said so himself. He also pretty much lays down the whole story with hints on the DVD insert.
However, Lynch has said that Lost Highway isn't meant to be comprehended. It's meant to be viewed as a nightmare. Nothing makes sense. Just like a nightmare-ish dream. That's what Lynch has said. And then there's that time when the writer spilled his guts and explained what he had intended the meaning to be (and got a bona-fied ass whooping from Lynch).
So you're right about Lost Highway, but I have to disagree with you on Mulholland Dr.
Actually, Mulholland Dr. DOES have an INTENDED, comprehensable story line. Lynch said so himself. He also pretty much lays down the whole story with hints on the DVD insert.
However, Lynch has said that Lost Highway isn't meant to be comprehended. It's meant to be viewed as a nightmare. Nothing makes sense. Just like a nightmare-ish dream. That's what Lynch has said. And then there's that time when the writer spilled his guts and explained what he had intended the meaning to be (and got a bona-fied ass whooping from Lynch).
So you're right about Lost Highway, but I have to disagree with you on Mulholland Dr.
The film is basically a film noir. Has all the elements. But in typical lynchian fashion. Which is, not typical.
He's one of the few filmmakers who's films are more about the way they look and and at the same time, the way they make you feel. God bless him.
