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Mulholland Drive [Spoilers]

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Mulholland Drive [Spoilers]

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Old 07-31-06, 07:11 PM
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Mulholland Drive [Spoilers]

I just watched this movie last night and by the end of it all I could think was "What, wtf just happened? Does this even make any sense?! Am I supposed to be this confused?" "Yes. I think.. cause I am."

So. I noticed a bunch of people on here think this is a fantastic movie which leads me to believe that some of you "get it", where as I don't.

Somebody, anybody, please help me understand!
Old 07-31-06, 07:14 PM
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Use this article, which helped me draw my own conclusions after seeing the film twice:

http://archive.salon.com/ent/movies/...rive_analysis/
Old 07-31-06, 07:56 PM
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Watch it again. Then again.

First time through I had the same, similar "Wow ... What the bunk??" reaction. Second time's when I realized how freakin' great it was. Third time's when I decided it was one of my top 25 favorite flicks of all time.

And, if still confused, hit up Salon's cheat sheet. EDIT: It will give you some basis of things to consider, but it is by all means not "the answer". Ultimately it's your interpretation that matters.

Last edited by gryffinmaster; 07-31-06 at 08:46 PM.
Old 07-31-06, 08:44 PM
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I tried arguing Salon's interpretation with a film professor I had and he just flat out refused it. He claimed that the story had no narrative and that it was a postmodern statement about how the audience expects a linear narrative but doesn't get one.
Old 08-01-06, 10:32 AM
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Spoiler:
First half of the movie is a dream, second half (after the blue box moment) is reality.

Once you know that, everything falls into place and the story is actually pretty straightforward.
Old 08-01-06, 08:24 PM
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Spoiler:
The first half of the movie is Naomi Watts's fantasy of what SHOULD have happened to her life. The second half (after the box is opened) is what really happened that led up to the crash. What you, in the audience, have to decide is whether a> there were two girls or one (eg. was that a lesbian sex scene or a masturbation scene? Lynch gave us the same scene twice.) and b> did the blonde pay money to get her cheating girlfriend killed or does she blame herself because she payed to have her girlfriend get the part in the movie that LED to her cheating. Who does she blame? Her girlfriend or herself? - Which brings us back to point #1; is she blaming herself because there isn't anyone else and she ONLY has herself to blame? (Compare the two audition scenes)
Old 08-01-06, 09:21 PM
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I just want to add that even though most people agree that
Spoiler:
The first 2/3 was dream and the last 1/3 was real life,
it does not mean that is the only way to interpret the film. I've heard a few different takes on what really happens, and they seemed mostly good.
Old 08-01-06, 10:50 PM
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Already time for the Annual Mulholland Drive "What the fuck?" Thread eh?

2001: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=149211
2002: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=221307
2002: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=238007
2003: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=294038
2003: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=328688
2004: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=372604
2005: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=427418

and now... 2006: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=473232

One of my favorite movies, like a giant Rubik's Cube of a flick with excellent atmosphere, mystery, and lesbian sex... and everything fits on a subconcious level, and almost everything on a logical level.

Last edited by RichC2; 08-01-06 at 11:01 PM.
Old 08-02-06, 12:46 AM
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In my top 10 for sure.
Old 08-02-06, 07:35 PM
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As I'm sure I stated in one of those previous threads, all you need to know is that David Lynch's favorite movie and main inspiration is The Wizard of Oz. You know, the movie that mostly takes place (possibly) in the character's head and then reveals that everyone in the "dream" is someone they know in real life? Knowing this will help you tremendously with most Lynch films, particularly Lost Highway and Mulholland Dr.
Old 08-03-06, 12:09 AM
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I found this site http://www.mulholland-drive.net/home.htm has a lot of info, including details about the pilot. I found it quite interesting. There are a number of theories there as well.

I'm going to have to watch this again now.
Old 08-03-06, 12:59 AM
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I hated this movie. Subtley is good, confusion is unforgivable.
Old 08-03-06, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Superboy
I hated this movie. Subtley is good, confusion is unforgivable.
I don't think Lynch was going for confusion so much as ambiguity. I think I know what happened in the film, but my interpretation isn't any more valid than anyone else's. Frankly, I think Lynch would be happier if everyone in the audience had a DIFFERENT interpretation. Not every puzzle has only one solution. Not every puzzle has ANY solution. It's the human condition to try and recognize a pattern in random chaos. And clues are still valid even if the criminal didn't INTEND to leave them.


But theoretically, if a director wants his audience to be confused*, why is that so unforgiveable?

* Like, say, for instance, Bunuel's 'L'Age D'Or' or 'Un Chien Andalou'
Old 01-06-07, 04:29 PM
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I have no idea what the fuck I just watched. I'm not sure if I'll watch it again or look through the spoilers.

I'm not sure if everyone is real. I'm not sure if some people are dead. I'm not sure who some people are. I have no idea where they are. Are they in hell. Are they in someone minds. oh hell I'll look at the spoilers. Doubt it will make any sense.
Old 01-06-07, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Drop
I just want to add that even though most people agree that
Spoiler:
The first 2/3 was dream and the last 1/3 was real life,
it does not mean that is the only way to interpret the film. I've heard a few different takes on what really happens, and they seemed mostly good.
I think that part is real because I for know that little old people are always sliding under my door so that last 3rd must be real.
Old 01-07-07, 12:46 AM
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I did not like this movie at all. I wasn't too happy with most of the movie being a dream. It seems like a copout.
Old 01-08-07, 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Brain Stew
I tried arguing Salon's interpretation with a film professor I had and he just flat out refused it. He claimed that the story had no narrative and that it was a postmodern statement about how the audience expects a linear narrative but doesn't get one.
Ugh. This is the reason I decided to NOT go to film school.

I hope you took the enlightened path and punched him in the nose.

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