Blue Velvet

After his father collapses on the front lawn, college student Jeffrey Beaumont is made return home to the picturesque town of Lumberton; a place as quintessentially American as apple pie and coffee as black as midnight on a moonless night. Everything he once knew, however, appears different: full of mystery, strangeness and darkness. Like Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz,' Beaumont peeks behind the curtain, and is confronted with the harsh reality of a situation he had imagined to be perfect. Join Beaumont as he explores the seedy underbelly of the ideal suburban dystopia, in David Lynch's 'Blue Velvet'.

Delightfully dark and disturbing, 'Blue Velvet' is a fascinating portrait of American existence full of abstractions, black-comedy and violence. "If one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath," Lynch has said, and Beaumont is fascinated by the creatures (both literal and figurative) he stumbles across upon his return to Lumberton. Lynch uses his story to examine themes of violence, voyeurism and sexuality, in a way which still feels relevant today. Additionally, in our social media focused society- where people's representations of themselves are often far from reality- the idea of someone discovering the real truth beneath a glossy façade is incredibly percipient.

Which is not to say the film is an overly intellectual affair, or is in any way pretentious, because it isn't. The off-beat humour that would go on to feature so prominently in 'Twin Peaks' and 'What Did Jack Do?' (among other works of Lynch's) is on full display. Like Takeshi Kitano, and to a lesser extent Werner Herzog, comedy is just as important to the narrative as the mystery and darkness at the center of it all. Though violent and often uncomfortable; 'Blue Velvet' is also a strangely funny movie with plenty of opportunities for laughter.

Music is incredibly important in 'Blue Velvet', and Angelo Badalamenti's beautifully sinister score haunts the film. Initially hired as Rossellini's vocal coach, he eventually became the composer and music supervisor, and has served in this capacity on nearly every other Lynch project to date. His unsettling but melodic tunes perfectly match the bizarre, often disquieting images that one associates with Lynch, and throughout this film his formidable presence- in the form of his score- is made known. Alongside Badalamenti's original score, a soundtrack of 50's pop hits- be it the title track, as performed by Bobby Vinton, or Ketty Lester's 'Love Letters'- are utilized to eerie effect, contributing to the atmosphere of sinister banality and hidden danger the film contains.

'Blue Velvet' is a visually arresting movie, with stunning cinematography from Frederick Elmes. His composition under Lynch's direction is inspired, irregular and heavy with symbolism. The opening satirical montage, of suburbia in all its white picket fenced glory, is a strangely grotesque and highly symbolic display- like a bizarre and brilliant mixture of Edward Hopper, Edvard Munch and 'The Andy Griffith Show'. It sets the tone of the rest of the film, and- combined with Badalamenti's score- many of the images from 'Blue Velvet' will almost certainly haunt your dreams.

'Blue Velvet' finds Kyle MacLachlan starring as Beaumont, in his second collaboration with Lynch. A charismatic and charming fellow, MacLachlan plays Beaumont like a young Jimmy Stewart for modern times: a good humoured, kind-hearted boy innocently intrigued by the darkness he suddenly finds all around him. MacLachlan is the perfect leading man for this type of story, as he is more than willing to go to complex and morally ambiguous places performance-wise.

Co-starring as the club singer he forms a bond with is Isabella Rossellini, who gives everything to her role. Her performance is heart-breaking and intense, as a woman trapped in a horrific nightmare of machoism and shame; she is electrifying. Years ago, critic Roger Ebert accused Lynch of being crueler to Rossellini than anyone on screen, suggesting that the director constructed the film as some sort of misogynistic torture chamber for the woman who would go on to be his romantic partner for five years. While there is much violence in the film, his accusations were ridiculous. Viewers understand that Rossellini is an actress, that Lynch is a director, and that they are creating fiction. Like with 'Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom', the process may be difficult in places and the finished product may look shockingly authentic, but we still know it's just a movie; and an actress giving a brilliant, tour de force performance.

The late, great Dennis Hopper also stars, as one of cinema's all-time great villains: Frank Booth, a gas-huffing sadist with a penchant for Pabst Blue Ribbon and Roy Orbison. Leading Beaumont down a rabbit hole of indignity and crime, Hopper has arguably never given a stronger performance. He throws himself so fully into the role, it is frightening to think what he must have been like on set. "I am Frank Booth," he allegedly told Lynch before shooting began; and there's no reason to doubt him after watching the film. Cruel and unusual, insane and assured of himself- he is the pinnacle of perversion.

Rounding out the main cast is a young Laura Dern- already showcasing the talent and depth she is acclaimed for these days. She plays Sandy, the daughter of a local detective whom Beaumont meets. She is also intrigued by the darkness of suburbia, though doesn't immerse herself in it; staying apart in a world she understands. Sandy is a ray of hope for Beaumont, and his last link to the goodness he once saw everywhere. There could be no one better for the part than Dern. In fact, every role is perfectly cast, from the likes of Brad Dourif and Jack Nance, to the sadly departed Dean Stockwell in an all too short, scene-stealing turn as the 'In Dreams' miming, ultra-suave Ben.

As many have done before, one could go on discussing 'Blue Velvet' endlessly. It has so much to offer, on so many different levels, that no two viewings are likely to feel the same. Funny, dark and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, it is a remarkable film, featuring terrific performances, a great score and beautiful imagery. If you haven't seen it before, you've missed something truly unique: the work of an auteur at the top of his game.

This has always been a unique crime movie, like no story I have seen before or since. In numerous ways, it's a sick film...but utterly fascinating, even after a handful of viewings. It's a certainly a trademark of director David Lynch with its bizarre story and twists and strange characters.

This movie has one of the most evil characters ever put on screen: "Frank Booth," played by Dennis Hopper. The latter is known for playing psychotic killers and this role tops them all. Hopper was never sicker. Almost as bizarre as him is the female victim in here, "Dorothy Vallens," played a mysterious Isabella Rossellini.

Kyle MacLaclan is good as the nosy late-teen who just has to find out what is going on in Dorothy's apartment while girlfriend Laura Dern gets caught up in his curiosity.

In a movie that features strange characters, the strangest scene of them - and there are a number - is in Booth's apartment with Dean Stockwell and his friends. Stockwell's lip-synching to an old Roy Orbison song is really freaky. Make no mistake, though: as bizarre as this film can get, it's mostly a very suspenseful crime story that can get very uncomfortable to watch at times. The language in this film was surprisingly tame.....until Hopper enters the scene. He's about the only character who uses profanity but he makes up for the others by using the f-word in about every sentence. He is so over-the-top, though, that after the initial shock seeing this movie once or twice, I know almost laugh out loud at him and way he acts.

Visually and audibly, this is another interesting Lynch movie with superb colors, creepy camera angles and a diverse soundtrack. You hear everything from lush classical music to old rock 'n roll songs, and a bunch of bizarre noises (sound effects).

From discussions I've had, this seems to be a film people love or hate. There is not much room for middle ground. Lynch has done much "nicer" films such as "The Straight Story," crazier films ("Wild At Heart," "Eraserhead") and classier movies ("The Elephant Man") but this will be his trademark film: the one above others he will be remembered for, good or bad.

What surprised me was how very different this was from the two other great David Lynch films I'd seen: "Lost Highway" and "The Straight Story", which are in turn very different from one another. I'd been told by a disappointed David Lynch fan, back in 1997, that the only reason I was so deeply impressed with "Lost Highway" was that I hadn't seen "Bue Velvet", in which he does much the same kind of thing better. "Blue Velvet" may indeed be better (I wouldn't want to say), but in no respect is it the same kind of thing. (The only instance I've encountered so far of Lynch making the same film twice is "Lost Highway" being remade as "Mulholland Drive", which partly accounts for the latter film being so stale and uninvolving.)

"Blue Velvet" is a simple amateur sleuthing story, but the genius is in the telling of it. It's hard to avoid the feeling that something supernatural is somehow involved, although it isn't, and we know that it isn't. It looks and feels as though we're watching the world through a special enchanted (or cursed) prism: the image has been pulled apart, ALMOST into two distinct images, with the elements of pure evil and pure wholesomeness now distinct from one another, sitting just millimetres apart.

Unrelated to this, but still contributing to the intense suspense and the overall creepiness, is Lynch's ability to make us familiar with a few ordinary locations, which grow more sinister - or at least more meaningful - every time we see them, until the sight of a simple concrete stairwell in the dark is enough to make us start to panic.

To watch Blue Velvet for the first time 31 years after its original release is a treat of unexpected proportions. I'm not going to tell about the story because, I'm sure, each one of us could tell it in very different ways. The blandness of Kyle MacLachland here is a major plus. It's not him that rivet us but his circumstances. And the circumstances are truly riveting, terrifying, unpredictable and gloriously cinematic. Dennis Hopper is superb, disgustingly so and Isabella Rossellini creates a character that was totally new to me. Related to many others but new, disturbingly so. Dean Stockwell has a moment that I know already will stay in my mind for ever. I'm so glad I finally saw it.

A very strange movie but incredible. A young man (Kyle MacLaclan) comes home to help care for his sick father. Soon he's in love with a detective's daughter (Laura Dern) and mixed up in a mystery involving Dorothy Valdes (Isabella Rossellinni) and psycho Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper).

Probably David Lynch's best film. The story has gaps in logic, but it's secondary to some incredible wide screen imagery (this has to be seen letter-boxed...no two ways about it). Lynch has said in interviews that he thinks of the image first then works it into the movie. You can tell...things that make no sense at first gradually make sense later on. This movie also demands multiple viewings...I was so shocked the first time I saw it, I couldn't concentrate on it...it took THREE viewings to finally get it.

As to what the movie is about...it depends who you ask. Some people said it's the Hardy Boys on drugs...others say it's about a boy's sexual awakening...others see it as good vs. evil...each one is a valid statement! To me, that's a true art film...one that means multiple things all at once.

The performances are top-notch. This film made MacLachlan...him and Laura Dern work well together and give nice low-key performances. Dern is just great...but she does look pretty silly when she tries to cry. Rossellinni is nowhere near as good as her mother (Ingrid Bergman) was, but she deserves credit for taking such a risky role. She's pretty good. Hopper is WAYYYYYYY over the top as Booth...he's both horrifying and hilarious...a great performance. And let's not forget Dean Stockwell as "suave Ben". His "performance" of "In Dreams" is a definite highlight.

Be warned--the film is very extreme. There's explicit violence, plenty of nudity, sex and tons of profanity. Not for the squeamish. Still, I loved it from beginning to end. One of my favorite films of all time.