Rent Mulholland Drive (2001)

A Unique, Bold Mystery Thriller - Mulholland Drive review by GI

Director David Lynch's dark, sinister and distinctly unsettling thriller is an absolute masterpiece of modern cinema. On first viewing this will baffle and astound in equal measure but you'll want to go and watch it again very soon afterwards. I recommend you do because the clues to what is going on are all there if you are careful enough to spot them. If you are familiar with Lynch's work then this will be a bit easier as there's a narrative structure here that can be seen in some of his other work including his TV series Twin Peaks. Naomi Watts plays Betty, an aspiring young actress who arrives in Hollywood hoping to make it big in the movies. She takes up residence in her Aunt's apartment whilst her Aunt is away but is surprised when she finds the glamorous Rita (Laura Harring) hiding there. Rita has lost her memory after a mysterious car crash and Betty agrees to help her find out who she is and what has happened to her. This starts a nightmare chain of events that involves a film director (Justin Theroux) and his struggles with casting his new film under pressure from some nasty bad guys. There's a host of strange characters throughout the story and it involves murder, dark erotic sex and corruption. To give you a slight clue Lynch is obsessed with dreams and nightmares so bear that in mind when you're watching. I cannot recommend this film enough. Watts is superb, the story and vision unique and it's a film that will get you talking for hours after having seen it.

Mysterious but memorable - Mulholland Drive review by JM

I'm pleased to learn that this film is being digitally re-processed, and I look forward to seeing it. Like the other reviewers, I was quite baffled as to what the meaning was or what actually happened, but that doesn't prevent watching it years ago having been a memorable experience.

I can understand people's objection: I much prefer stories which have a cut a dried ending, However, this film was so atmospheric that you had to forgive the open nature of the narrative, and it would still be worth watching again.

Confusing, thought-provoking and possibly brilliant - Mulholland Drive review by SR

I think the only way to make headway on this film is to watch it twice. It's really confusing the first time you watch it, and some of the sections (like the club silencio part) make no sense at all initially. Then I did a bit of reading (this website is useful http://www.mulholland-drive.net/home.htm) and watched it again - and it suddenly made an awful lot more sense. The biggest clue is a very short scene near the beginning of someone falling face down on a bed. Most of what follows is a dream sequence.

Some people seemed to have watched it over and over, and are extracting deeper meanings (or their own interpretations) as they do so, but for me twice was enough, although I may watch it again in a year's time.

SUBLIME - Mulholland Drive review by PT

What is this film about, dunno. What is the message, dunno. So with the storyline dealt with, my review.

Irrespective of the above, this is one of the best films I have ever seen. It is brilliantly acted, hypnotic, surreal and a work of art. Harring, Watts and Theroux are phenomenal. The scenes are just so good I could watch them as single pieces, like the movie mogul with his coffee, Theroux visiting the mysterious cowboy, the amazing dream like sequence when a teary Harring and Watts watch a singer in a theatre. I can imagine a lot of people hating it and thinking I'm off my trolley, but I know there's others who will get me and love it too. Absolutely fantastic.

The art perfection - Mulholland Drive review by MS

David Lynch really brings it home with this film. The way he uses the soundtrack to create mystery and tell a story is unparalleled. I can't wait to watch it again.