Mulholland Drive

"Mulholland Drive" (2001) is a psychological thriller by director David Lynch, which is headlined by Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring, and Justin Theroux. The director aimed to take viewers on a wild, confusing, psychological roller coaster. From a personal perspective, "Mulholland Drive" was one of, if not the most, confusing movies that I have ever seen. This film was originally made with plans to become a television series, but after it was presented to television executives, it was rejected. It was left with loose ends because Lynch wanted it to become a television series, so when it became a feature film, an ending was provided to somewhat tie up all of the loose ends. Although, nobody besides David Lynch really knows what transpires as a result to the true ending. This continues speculation and differing opinions throughout the film industry.



The director gives the audience many clues throughout the course of the film. Although, the viewers have to pay special attention and be able to tie things together, so it is probable they will have to watch the movie a few more times than just once. I for one did not understand the film and could not understand everything that ties the film together. One of the first things that sort of sets up as the first clue given by the director is the jitterbug scene in the beginning of the movie. Although the scene is a little "trippy" it does have a meaning behind it and that may be show of a stepping stone for Betty's move to Hollywood. The jitterbug contest seems to be a just that, a contest. As the film takes place in a modern day time period and not the 1950's or so, so common sense would tell us it is a contest.



Another interesting event is the location of where the accident took place. This location is depicted in both aspects of this film, which is the dream that Diane has and the actual event. During Diane's dream, "Rita" is involved in an accident in which everyone dies but her. During the actual event, Diane is brought to the same location as her dream and is met by Camilla. The first scenario was fiction that was built on the real event of that took place. Also, the line "What are you doing? We don't stop here!" is reprised by both Diane and Rita at the very same place, but have different outcomes. This is just an example of how similar each of these realms were.
The theme of certain places reoccurring throughout the film is noticeable. The restaurant from earlier in the movie "Winkie's" shows up at the beginning of this film and at the end. Also, the restaurant shows up when Diane hires someone in an attempt to kill Camilla. A lot of the locations that were shown throughout Diane's dream were shown throughout the reality, which made the movie even more confusing.

David Lynch purposely did not include an obvious conclusion in this film and continues to make the audience draw their own conclusions by not opening his mouth. Things look as if they will stay that way too.



WORKS CITED

"Mulholland Dr." IMDB.com. Web. 1 Mar. 2010
"Mulholland Dr." wikipedia.org. Web. 1 Mar. 2010
"Lynch's 10 Clues." mulholland-drive.net. Web. 1 Mar. 2010