I just realized that I never wrote a review of this, even though I watched it like 3 weeks ago. Well, frankly, I do not like it. I find no enjoyment while viewing this thing. There are deep explanations for every scene, every shot, every everything. But while watching this through one time, it is all over the damn place in what the hell is happening.
Sure, you can go through and tell me all about what all the pieces mean. For the most part, I am totally fine with a film needing to be viewed multiple times to get all aspects out of it. In fact, that is a great attribute of the best films. However, the first viewing should still be understood. It should not be this questionable and confusing upon a single sit through. The first view should tell you what happened, and future viewings flesh it out even more.
I get it though. That is my taste in film, not a rule of law. Those who disagree with me on this simply have very different tastes in this aspect. But me... I have no ambition to watch it again. At the same time, I'd manage through it just fine as well.
Too confusing to enjoy IMO
This was my first time viewing "Mulholland Drive". I'm bothered. Am I not bright enough to "get" it? Was it trying to call me stupid? What did I miss?
Dreams, dreams, dreams. Another film about a dream. Or a dream within a dream. I'm sick of movies with dreams. "Inception" made me angry because I didn't like it yet felt like I had to rate it highly because everyone else praised it. I didn't want to come away looking like a movie mouth-breather. Now along comes this. Not again.
The way "Mulholland Drive" unfolds makes little sense to me, but Hey...I liked it! So I'm not going to try and figure out its secret meaning, if there even is one. I'm not remotely interested in trying to dissect it.
I'm pretty sure that "Mulholland Drive" is pointless. I want to know more about Betty and Rita, but not really. That might take away the mystery of their strange, fascinating relationship.
Would most people hate this? I'm happy that I endured this film without it being a chore. I want to know that people who bought tickets to watch "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" or "Grown Ups 2" at the mall theater thought this was a Lifetime Channel movie about two girlfriends and then turned it off before it finished. That way I can be certain that I'm cooler than those people. Those people who just don't "get" it.
"Mulholland Drive" is the kind of movie that can legitimize me as a film snob if I can just prove to others that I understood what the Hell it was about. But I can't. So, I'm one of THEM. That, and I kind of liked "Gods of Egypt". I'm doomed.
It's not often a film leaves me speechless, but I'm honestly not sure how to even go about rating this. I have no idea if I even enjoyed it or not. I need at least a few days.
You could approach this as a dream set into two parts. We see a happy-go-lucky set of characters in the first act and on the flip-side, a spiralling descent of madness in the second act. There are lots of levels from which you could read this film, as you would look at a piece of art.
Mulholland Drive left me with pondering it’s strong feminist messages. It clearly wants to address the problems of the silver screen days, where famous actresses were known to be abused and treated unfairly in Hollywood. This is worth watching armed with a pen and notepad to keep up with your own thoughts. There’s too much to take in at first.
Wtf did I just watch?
Watched on a plane with an awareness that it’s a classic and then I saw Lynch’s name on it so I had some preconceived ideas.
An aeroplane doesn’t really create the right environment for Lynch’s eerie style so it wasn’t until I read an explanation that I realised what was going on, which changed my appreciation.
The vibe, which is a combination the visuals, the music and the individual performances, is a familiar Lynch feeling and the movie is definitely worth a watch as it definitely elicits an emotional response.
Bullshit
An awkward film, and a waste of time
"When you see the girl in the picture that was shown to you earlier today, you will say, "this is the girl". The rest of the cast can stay, that's up to you. But the choice for that lead girl is NOT up to you. Now... you will see me one more time, if you do good. You will see me... two more times, if you do bad. Good night."
Back in early 2015, I watched "Mulholland Drive" and my first reaction were mostly positive. I didn't know what to think of it, but I was so in awe with the film that I couldn't stop thinking about it. The reason for not reviewing it back then is because I just wasn't ready to talk about it. This massive delay cause me to forget about it, as at the time, I had a lot of things on my mind.
But after re-watching it, it's better on the second watch. I loved "Mulholland Drive". It's both effective, depressing, and strange. I would go as far to say that it's a masterpiece.
David Lynch is a master of his craft who's always misunderstood. The dreamy atmosphere is terrifying and yet draws you in. Only he can do it. To strike an emotionally core with you that hits you hard, despite not knowing what's going on. People are so in awe of his work, even when nobody understands him. But strangely, that doesn't matter.
Good movie for people that are into nonsense stories and don't really care about what is going on, the only "good scenes" are the ones with kisses.
"When you see the girl in the picture that was shown to you earlier today, you will say, "this is the girl". The rest of the cast can stay, that's up to you. But the choice for that lead girl is NOT up to you. Now... you will see me one more time, if you do good. You will see me... two more times, if you do bad. Good night."
Back in early 2015, I watched "Mulholland Drive" and my first reaction were mostly positive. I didn't know what to think of it, but I was so in awe with the film that I couldn't stop thinking about it. The reason for not reviewing it back then is because I just wasn't ready to talk about it. This massive delay cause me to forget about it, as at the time, I had a lot of things on my mind.
But after re-watching it, it's better on the second watch. I loved "Mulholland Drive". It's both effective, depressing, and strange. I would go as far to say that it's a masterpiece.
David Lynch is a master of his craft who's always misunderstood. The dreamy atmosphere is terrifying and yet draws you in. Only he can do it. To strike an emotionally core with you that hits you hard, despite not knowing what's going on. People are so in awe of his work, even when nobody understands him. But strangely, that doesn't matter.
Ok you cannot watch it with partial attention. I did not understand it. But after I watched the explanation video on YT I was also convinced I would have not get it anyway.
It's one of that movies you need to watch it without any distractions like phone , etc. Or watch it two times.
My Review of ‘Mulholland Drive’ in Three Sentences:
I tend to appreciate Lynch’s films more AFTER I watch them.
I prefer to enjoy 2+ hour films WHILE I watch them.
Fascinating take on dreams/fantasies aside, I doubt I’ll ever sit through this one again.
Poorly edited and frustrating movie. Don't fall for David Lynch meme, waste of 2 hours. I hate when someone leaves so many characters and subplots to the interpretation that there clearly isn't one answer as to why they were there or why 'this' or 'that' happened. Why does he have to make everything abstract and weird? 5/10 at best since there are some great scenes.
This one is absolutely masterclass from David Lynch. I highly recommend it to everyone. Although not everyone(and by that I mean a whole lot of people) will get it in first viewing, including myself and I have no shame in admitting I understood it on YouTube. But such is the genius of the movie.
The first part of the movie is slow to build up and is confusing, but believe me, it is intended. It is riddled with symbolism and visual cues which aids the viewer in second half of the movie which is full of revelations.
This movie is a dream (literally) lived out.
Believe the movie when it says that everything is illusion.
The movie starts off rather loosely, with blurred characters and coarse, almost clumsy realization. As the film progresses, it is clear that everything is intentional and prepares you for the evolution of the whole towards a second part of the film, which can only be described as prodigious. Really spectacular and totally essential.
One of the best blow mind movies ever! Just watch carefully.Everything makes absolutely sense and Lynch is a fucking genius
Seriously, I do not consider myself to be a stupid person... BUT WHAT THE F*CK WAS THIS ABOUT? Honestly, after a slow start I was with it up until the last half an hour expecting everything to come together in an incredible way. Instead I became even more confused. I tried looking online for someone to explain this for me but most videos explaining it were over an hour long, it's that freakin' complicated! No need at all.
SPOILERS (or a dream?)
We open with some joyriders who are doing around 200 mph. Crash! From the wreckage a woman escapes into a house. Next scene is a man that wanted to go to restaurant called Winkies because.... a dream told him so. Then he desribes the dark weird dream, which has no real purpose but sounds cool and sets up that familular Lych atmosphere. Naomi Watts who plays Betty arrives in L.A to live out... a dream. Watt's parents drives away with bizzare smiles because why not it looks creepy and probably means something deep that's above me. Betty arrives at a house and the character of Coco enters. She seems nice enough and is played well. Least she has a personality. Hope it's not a dream or vision. The house is convincingly made to look subtly eerie. Good job. This movie is well shot at times.
It's all beginning to seem a little vague and slow and I wonder how long it will be like this. Betty finds Rita (from the crash) in the house and seems caring and clingy. Betty is also very childlike which probably means something later.
Now we see director Adam arrive at Ryan Entertainment. There is a big deal about him picking a female actress for his movie or whatever. A seedy underbelly is shown via a weird room (not like Twin Peaks at all.) A photo of Camilla is shown and to Adam's dissaproval she aparently must be the actress in the role. All this just doesn't seem interesting as it's predictable from Lynch. Least some dynamic and mystery element is being set up. There is an angry incident involving coffee and people are in fear (not like Frank from Blue Velvet at all) and Adam leaves. I would have too. I hate coffee spills.
In the weird room (not the red room) there is the same guy from Twin Peaks but he swaps talking backwards for a voice box. Nice to see he's moved with the times and embraced technology. He says 'shut down everything.'
Some chuckle brother slapstick assasin kills for a black book full of actors names. More mystery. I should put my deerstalker hat on for this.
Rita has amnesia. There is an attempt to make a tense scene out of opening a purse but it didn't work. They didn't find any I.D for Rita. They should really go to the cops but for some reason they are suspicious for no good reason. Why didn't she look in the purse before? What's she been doing? More mystery and vague visions happen. Well it has been a few minutes since the last ones.
Adam is home and is thrown out by a cheating wife. Meanwhile Betty and Rita hide the purse. Why? They go for a coffee at Winkies, which means something to Rita but oh she doesn't know why. Amnesia is always good for mysteries for this purpose.
Adam's money is halted and he's held to randsom and plans a meeting a mystery man to sort this out. A weird lady (not the log lady) calls on Betty and Rita's room to say someone is in trouble. Pointless really. Adam meets the guy under a flickering Lych light that probably means something way over my head about dreams, reality or existentialism. The man Adam meets looks like disgraced porn director Max Hardcore. Probably some clever Lynch choice and a commentary on something bigger than life itself? Max Hardcore proceeds with some cryptic and pseudo-intellectual questions in that way all smart asses in pretentious films do. If you want a character to seem deep but haven't got a character to work with or he's not on screen long just be cryptic. Works for the Coens too. Adam gets a second chance if he accepts Camilla for the role. He agrees. Max hardcore says if you see me once again it's good but twice is bad.
Betty goes for an audition. It goes well. Then cue some 50's sounding music because that's also original. Betty is taken to another audition and she sees Adam and runs off. More mystery? Thanks. When are we gonna get answers? Sorry Dave. I didn't mean to question you. Forgive me.
Betty and Rita are snooping around a housing place because Rita had a feeling she was called Diane and lived there. Note: A feeling is different from a dream. Never get these two mixed or the plot becomes stupid. The neighbour at this housing place is... mysterious. Betty and Rita discover a body in Dianne's home. Instead of going to the cops they go home for some lesbian romp. To be honest I would have too. Have you seen them?
Betty says she's in love. Does that supposed to mean something because nothing else has. See the problem? When you mix sincerity with so much mystery and dream shit you get shit on your sincerity. It's hard to differenciate when your set up is purposely hazy. Sorry Dave I didn't mean to... no Dave don't. No!
Betty wakes up as Rita starts talking crazy in her... dream? Or maybe an awakening dream? Massive difference. If you don't think so then eat shit and die because you don't get it. Go and watch mainstream stuff. Go on! Idiot.
Where was i? So the now lesbian couple (I'm not complaining) go to some weird (obviously) theatre at 2am. Hang on, are those theatre curtains the curtains from the red room in twin peaks? Clearly a symbolic message about poverty be re-using ideas. Lynch is a genius. Why are they there anyway? Oh yeah a feeling. A feeling from a dream or an awakened dream state. I do the same. I once went to McDonalds at 2am becuase of a dream. Someone sings the song Crying on the stage. Don't worry it's not like Blue Velvet because it's in a different language... is that the stage from Eraserhead but with colour? The volume of the whole Crying performance is pretty bad. I think it tries to be loud and powerfu by standing alone loud with a bit of reverb but it's annoying. Betty pulls a weird cube object from her purse. Where did that come from? Do purses hold all the secrets in this movie? I do hope a pin headed man appears. Oh look the key fits the box. Remember the key? Well there was a key before. Whatever. Did Betty have the box all along?... So Rita opens the box and looks in and... did you expect answers? Just go and watch Transformers or something because inside was mystery and weirdness.
Max Hardcore appears to wake up a girl then dissapears fast. Maybe he's late for some pee pee movie shoot with a damaged whore? But wait. This isn't the same reality. Now Betty is called Dianne. Betty is really Dianne. Rita is Camilla. This is too much I need a lesbian sex scene and I get one. Thanks Dave. You're always there for me. After the sex Dianne is upset at Rita for some reason and it's all some mans fault (Adam.) So now we have a love triangle but who gives a rats ass? Dianne is sad and fingers herself whilst crying which is obviously a methaphor for vunerability and pain as the tears were probably used as lube which means.... maybe Max Hardcore dropped by and gave her a DVD?
Dianne gets a call to go to Mulholland Drive. Do I even care about these characters? Nope. Do I even care about the story? Not really.
Coco is really Adams mother. Rita is just a user of women and Dianne is upset. Boo hoo you went with a whore, you were probaboy a whore, and you were in love and so you had to die. Seriously? These people are horrid. Adam and Rita are about to deliver some good news. We never find out what it was exactly because that would have been too obvious and revealing. In the background we see Max Hardcore. What did he say about being seen twice gain? OMG Lynch is a genius because he followed through on an obvious subplot and I feel clever for connecting the dot. Everyone wins. Maybe when the guy in the red room said 'shut it down' maybe he was talking about Diannes life. Maybe he was like the heart or soul. I just ejacualted and it's all thanks to Lynch. Maybe Bettymwas very childlike and innocent and curious because her acting a dream manifested from childhood? To be honest Naomi Watts did a good job with that.
After the Mulholland Drive part Dianne is now talking to the chuckle brother assasin and shows him a Camilla photo. She hands him cash. He gives her a key for when it's done and when she asks what it's for he answers.... well he laughs a mysterious laugh.
Next some weird open meaning images instead of real writing and a conclusion, including her parents as weird burrower creatures. I hope that idea becomes a spin off comedy movie. Looks fun. Then Dianne's suicide happens. Was a gun in the box? Did the chuckle brother know she wouldn't be able to live with herself? Does it matter? Some attempt at emotional music and sadness at Dianne's death but meh......Some weird woman whispers next to maybe a symbolic final curtain on that stage. END
This is a stretched out mystery idea with no good characters and half a plot. Dreams and feelings and weirdness are fillers for character development and plot development. It encapsulates a dream well sometimes but like a dream it's best to forget about it. There were things that meant things later on but there were also many things that were pointless. Loosest mystery ever. I'm not really gonna watch it back 10 times to make a theory either. I've read theories and they still don't make anything of this movie. Even it the elements were made I to a coherent plot it would be mediocre at best. Having a cryptic puzzle that makes half sense doesn't make a good movie. Doesn't matter how you dress it up in surrealism or who makes it. Doesn't matter if some dots get connected or some don't to leaves more questions. The mystery itself was plain awful. As a viewer i never had the avenues of possibilities of characters to surmise theories. Instead we get over two hours of let's hope all this unravels and pays off, and it doesn't. Actually it wasn't a mystery. It was leaving questions on purpose to create a pseudo mystery and enhanced with weirdness. If it somehow did all come together at the end I could maybe least understand the point and respect it. I hear about how movies don't have to stick to normal narratives. I know! But it still has to be good. If Lord Lynch has such a good imagimation (I've seen people say this) then why does he use the same old ideas? Maybe he's the biggest troll ever. He's become a cliché. Also we didnt care about the characters because the movie had no emotional core. He makes a good looking movie (if not unoriginal now) but as far as story telling in these types of movies he shambolic.
This was my first Lynch movie. I was too young to get it back then. Now that I'm older, and I've seen more than traditional Hollywood movies, I see why this is considered as a masterpiece.
Boring? Confusing? Poorly edited? This definitely isn't for squares who like to be spoon fed with answers.
"Mulholland Drive" is by far the most complete expression of David Lynch's cinema. It has everything that made his films memorable but still manages to be accessible for most viewers (you will need to rewatch a couple of times, but at least we are far from the apparent close-to-nonsense of "Inland Empire"). A lot of people claim that the last 45 minutes prevented the film from becoming a real masterpiece and made it confusing for the sake of it, but it's quite the opposite. Surely the unsettling and surreal atmosphere that permeates the film is valuable, but those last 45 minutes are the ones that give a real weight and meaning to so many details and lines. They are essential to save the first half from being just a cheesy mystery movie with a unique atmosphere.
It has been one of my favorite movies for ages, but it took me over fifteen years to finally relate to the character. I guess I am finally old enough to feel the bitter taste of failure and self-delusion.
"Mulholland Drive" feels like it's trying to be artistic by following an unreliable and non-linear narrative, utlising a loose mystery to weave the plot together, leaving the viewer with unresolved questions. It embraces weirdness and confusion at the detriment of the actual plot and consistency. From what I have read, it seems like it's supposed to be dream-like, blurring the line between reality and imagination. The sequence of events is fragmented and disjointed and maybe you aren't supposed to take scenes at face value as things could be abstracted. Events seem to be linked, many impossibly so - especially as the truth appears to shift in nature. This is the type of film to revel in ambiguity, almost like it is challenging the audience to decode its web of symbolism and allegory. A substitute for a well-crafted plot. If you don't get it, then "this film isn't for you - you're not smart enough. You don't appreciate artistic vision!". You shouldn't have to rewatch a film a number of times and research video essays explaining the intentionally vague plot to understand it.
The film's lack of coherent storytelling and confusing narrative structure, along with its unwillingness to resolve or answer questions, just pose them, left me disapointed. I was initially intrigued by the mystery surrounding Rita and her amnesia, along with her background. I wanted to know more about the characters introduced - Betty and Rita, the director Adam and the hapless assassin. Or those even more mysterious like the guy in the chair, The Cowboy and the fear-inducing figure. However, the story dragged on only to spiral into a convoluted mess. That same mystery fell flat due to the film's inability to provide meaningful explanations for the numerous plot threads involved and instead focusing on twisting the narrative further. A plot that branches into a multitude of directions, each promising a revelation that is not fully resolved, if at all.
And this film does have a few plot threads:
- The car accident and assassination attempt, along with the subsequent police investigation.
- Rita's amnesia, identity and her attempts with Betty to uncover her history.
- Betty's acting aspirations, her aunt, initial role/casting process and interactions within the industry.
- Betty and Rita's developing romantic relationship.
- Director Adam's struggles with pressures from powerful figures (The Cowboy and "guy in the chair" namely) and challenges in casting for his production.
- The exploration and impact of Hollywood's dark underbelly, including the involvement of powerful and shady individuals.
- The mysterious blue cube and key, with their symbolic significance.
- The recurring dream diner, fear-inducing figure, and connections to various characters.
- The hapless assassin and the black book.
- The identity switch, where Rita and Betty become Camilla and Diane, along with the revealed and changed relationships
- The assassination plot by Diane on Camilla, orchestrated through the hapless assassin.
- The unsettlingly happy elderly couple (relatives or strangers?)
How many of these are resolved? What is real? How are things connected? What is their significance? My only real conclusion on the plot is that Diane is the one true protagonist and she is far from sane, leading to a story told from her unreliable perspective, paranoia and dreams. Many other scenes serve to confuse and intrigue, linking only into to themes of dreams and identity.
I had never seen a David Lynch film before and I didn't know a lot going into this. Now I know to avoid his stuff as it seems this is just his style, one which does not appeal to me. However, I did have an interest in watching Twin Peaks. This was just not my thing. I can however agree that some of the acting and cinematography was decent.
I was so confusing at the start. So many information to process, so many switches on what's being presented to us (they developed the story and each character arc like in some circular way, where they cross too many times, which bugged me because kept taking away the suspense/development of some scenes). It doesn't take much for you to go in this crazy feeling of "I can't even understand this movie, but I want to see where it is going". As the dreams and storylines starts to mix, you get zeeero knowledge on what is going on, you just want to know where it will end. By the end of the movie you'll start to get a glimpse of the informations you need to put everything together. And even when it ends, somethings you might still wanna wander about. I never really wrote such big review, but this movie really needs a second watch and study of it, since it was built not to be consumed by the eyes, but to consume and provoke our thoughts too. I go with a rating of 7/10 right after watching the movie and a review about it. I'm pretty sure if I watch it by the second time it can grow to a 8/10. And last but not least, my only concern is that some takes and parts are not really necessary and some are slow paced. But besides that, this movie has potential. Does it worth watching? In the middle of the movie I'd say no to everyone, but after ending, yeah, I would recommend. First you won't get nothing out of it, then you'll get something with reviews, and on a second watch you might get a real good perspective about what's really going on in the movie and all of its easter eggs and decisions. Good points are: great dialogues, great cinematography and some good suspenseful parts followed by great sound effects and camera work.
Between Lost Highway and Inland Empire there're Mulholland Drive, but it's só much better than those movies. Very peculiar but great!
A masterpiece of surrealist horror that seems to have been inspired by Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" and others. A terrifying thriller that is fearless, unsettling, and traumatizing, with a mystery that is mysterious and enigmatic. It is the critics who say it makes no sense that make no sense.
This was interesting, with a mystery more similar to Twin Peaks, with a clearish main plot together with many complications to mess things up, as Lynch tends to do. Seemed older than it actually is.
"It'll be just like in the movies. Pretending to be somebody else."
I, like many others on here, was pretty damn confused when the movie finished. The whole time it felt like a trippy dream and after seeing a few explanations on what happened, it is pretty cool. The thing is, I like enjoying movies while I watch them as well.
A unique, surreal, illusory and enigmatic film. Well-directed, via hypnotic cinematography. Great performances from cast.
Review: https://boxd.it/2bha63
i started watching this while i was high and finished it while slightly less high and i think maybe that didn't help my comprehension level any.
Sooooooooo freaking cool. Makes me jealous of Lynch's genius mind, wish I had one like that.
The pot is gone. This is too inargumental.
Mulholland Drive is easily one of my favorite movies since now. A perfect masterpiece!
Paco cinema image 4/5 and sound 4.5 / 5. Part 1 and 2 is rare, Part 3 is very rare. It is Lynch, it has been well. had never seen as beautiful as Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive
i'll probably have to see this again when i'm high to understand it until then its a 5
I didn't get what this movie was about at all. And I understood ' Primer'....
After looking online for explanations everything fell into place. This movie is going to be on my rewatch lists for at least a couple of more views. It is quite ingenious, and if you don't want to look up what exactly is going on, you will probably need at least 3 views before you get it. It might be more.
It is a true Lynch movie, so the educated movie fan could understand this movie better than me, from all the hints and clues Lynch scattered throughout the film. The fact that there are 10 clues added to the DVD release cover (who are as cryptic as Egyptian hieroglyphs as well by the way) screams 'overcomplicated' more than Mell Gibson screams for freedom. So this is not a movie for when you are drunk with friends, or when you are looking for just a fun family movie. This is also not a good date-night movie, nor one to play in a pub. It is only and solely meant to be watched with all your 110% undivided attention while you pluck your brain what exactly is going on.
The movie was a disaster at the box office (grossing only half of what it cost) and it is perfectly understandable why. The average movie goer would write it off as the most confusing and nonsensical movie ever, and even a large part of the more experienced viewers, but without a more extensive knowledge about movie esthetics's, would probably be too confused to appreciate it to its complete potential. I will most likely fall in that latter group, and I am a bit disappointed about that.
The fact it was still nominated for an Oscar clearly shows its value (that is, if you believe those nominations are worth anything of course.) I can only wish to fully understand this movie, but I'm afraid I never completely will.
For the ones who want to get some help in understanding the story, you can check out this website: http://www.mulholland-drive.net But I would strongly advice against going there before watching the movie at least once. It will take away some of the magic.
I.... I don't know what I just watched...
Disturbing, wired and intriguing although I have to admit that I did not get every detail of the movie.
Shout by the_guy_with_the_hatBlockedParent2012-09-19T00:20:09Z
after 30min: what the heck i am watching here ?
after 60min: ok, i got the story. So what now ?
after 90min: what?! Are you serious. That makes no sense. What a s****y movie.
after 120min: wow! just, wow!
after 147min: what a totally great movie. Typical Lynch, but it make much MUCH more sense than "Lost Highway".
Totally liked it. Rating: 8/10