2015 Blind Spot Series: Mulholland Dr.

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What I knew going in: That this movie, as many put it is "pretty fucking weird."

 A woman (Laura Harring) is being driven in the back of a limo. They pull over on Mulholland Dr. and a man in the passenger seat is about to kill her. Suddenly, another car hits them head on, and the woman is the only survivor. She stumbles into an apartment complex where Betty (Naomi Watts) a fresh faced aspiring actress has just arrived from Canada to pursue her dreams. The woman can't remember anything. She says her name is "Rita" but she got it off a movie poster. Betty decides to help Rita find out what happened to her. At the same time, the police investigating the accident know someone is missing. Meanwhile a director, Adam (Justin Theroux) is broke and being bullied into casting a certain woman in his next production. And his wife cheats on him with Billy Ray Cyrus so you know he's having a bad day.

 I found all the scenes of Rita and Betty's story to be completely fascinating. Naomi Watts is such a treasure. I love watching her on screen and she's excellent here. It's an interesting mystery. I also liked seeing the audition scenes in Hollywood. They were exactly how I assume auditions are really like.

 There was some filler that I didn't care for. The cops, the botched robbery, though that was hilarious. And the film does get super weird in the last 45 minutes or so. Overall, I enjoyed it, even if parts of it left me scratching my head.

 Recommended: Yes

 Grade: B

 Memorable Quote: "What are you doing? We don't stop here."  - Rita (Laura Harring)

Comments

  1. thevoid99August 22, 2015 at 2:02 PM

    Definitely my favorite film by David Lynch as I'm ready for its upcoming release from Criterion as it's one of many Criterions I want for Xmas.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 23, 2015 at 9:16 AM

      So far The Elephant Man is my favorite Lynch, I'm glad it's getting a Criterion release though.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 22, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    I'm glad you liked this film. I enjoyed it too, although I spent an hour online afterwards trying to piece together what I'd just watched. :-D

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 23, 2015 at 9:15 AM

      Oh I know, there's a little guide on IMDb that someone wrote to make sense of it. I had to read through it.

      Delete
  3. s.August 22, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    Glad you liked it, it;'s my #2 of all time. There is actually no filler because every scene means something in the dream but I get how you thought that because it takes at least one more viewing to get the film fully. Did the Winkies scene freak you out? It's the scariest shit I've seen in my life

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 23, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      You're probably right. There's a lot to digest in that film and the dream part was the one part that confused me a bit. That Winkies scene didn't freak me out but man it was weiirrrrrrrd! lol

      Delete
  4. Rebecca SharpAugust 22, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    That Naomi Watts audition scene though, wasn't it freakin' awesome?! I chose it as one of my favourite cinematic moments as part of A Fistful of Film's blogathons it was that embedded in my mind.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 23, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      It was. She absolutely slayed that scene. That girl can act.

      Delete
  5. DellAugust 22, 2015 at 5:12 PM

    Everyone seems to love this, but I didn't care for it. Probably need to watch ot again, but I'm not sure I want to subject myself to that.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 23, 2015 at 9:13 AM

      It's quite the experience. The first half is definitely stronger than the second. I don't think I would say I loved it either, but I definitely liked it quite a bit.

      Delete
  6. KatyAugust 23, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    Mulholland Dr is one of my blindspots - glad it was worth the wait and hype. :)

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 24, 2015 at 1:32 AM

      I can't wait to read what you have to say about it. It's an interesting one.

      Delete
  7. JoshOctober 5, 2015 at 2:34 AM

    I need to revisit this one, but I loved it on a first look. Watts is amazing!

    ReplyDelete

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