Latest Weird Film - Mullholland Drive

Watched Mulholland Drive last night with a bunch of mates, it's pretty much the definition of the weird film so I'm a little surprised that it took us this long to get around to watching it. I first saw it not long after it came out, before the days of imdb and so before I was able to easily research what on earth it was all about. Even these days though it still takes a lot of thought to get what's going on in this apparently non-sensical thriller

You can understand the basic plot fairly easily with a few pointers, but even without that there's a lot to enjoy. At a straight level the film can be seen as a comment on the shallowness of the Hollywood film industry - in which starry-eyed country girl Betty arrives anonymously in Los Angeles eager to see her dreams of stardom fulfilled while director Adam's film is taken out of his control by mobsters and the meek amnesiac actress 'Ruth' hides out from the very same mobsters who are probably out to kill her. Ooh isn't Hollywood nasty.

Of course in reality there's hugely more to it than this. It's a story of love and betrayal in the unforgiving world of the film industry and how an outsider's reaction to that has dire consequences. Part of the joy of the film comes from being confused by what's happening and then trying to put together the various pieces to arrive at a satisfying story. Believe me when I say that there is a coherent story in there, and that even when all the characters appear to become different people towards the end it does actually make sense if you pay attention to the clues. It's all about reality versus fantasy and how terrible events and psychoses in one can deeply affect you in the other.

Oddly enough, despite all the warnings of confusing dialogue, dream sequences, out-of-place scenes and intangible characters, I think it's one of David Lynch's most accessible films. This is probably because if you think about it enough the plot is understandable and linear (sort of), set in the real world and about things we can relate to. Plus there are two glamorous lead characters (that's right lads, two glamorous girls in the lead roles who - get this - get more than a little intimate!) and a number of superb stand-alone scenes such as the "It is all an illusion" scene at 'Club Silencio'. Plus it's the film where Naomi Watts got her break into the acting big leagues, not a surprise really given the range of emotions she's required to portray throughout the film's various realities. From doe-eyed wonder to the terrifying paranoia of jealousy and everything in between she gives an acting masterclass.

And if you're still lost after you've seen it have no fear though, you can always go here for help!