Mulholland Drive: How Lynch Manipulates You

Whats that background music?

There really is no one like Lynch. Movies like Eraserhead, Mulholland Dr., and Inland Empire have scenes that are still speculated on even today.

This movie terrified me deeply. The movie doesn't give you the information to understand the significance of scenes when they happen, you're always left wondering if there is going to be some reveal but there just isn't. After the diner scene I was under the impression this going to be a scary movie. Every dragged out shot that showed in the appartment built up so much tension and had me expecting I was going to be jumpscared – ofc Lynch says fuck that… This movie is so twisted I swear. The way Lynch manipulates you is impressive beyond anything you could imagine. I was scared as hell for the entirety of my first watch – even though it is not really what you would call a scary movie. The fact that there is never any form of relief is deeply unsettling, you, until the end, never get a clue what the movie wants from you, or what the movie is trying to be.

Well done. I really enjoyed your analysis, and I agree this movie is a masterpiece. See you next Wednesday.

The music in the beginning. Where is that from??! It’s killing me because I️ know I’ve heard it before

Oh man, you're cute!

One of the few films I have seen multiple times in the theater to also see how different audiences reacted to it. My experience with the film in that aspect alone convinced me It's a flat out masterpiece. The other reason it's one of the greatest films of the 21st century is the last act. The last act shows how the design of the film focusing on character development and arcs through dream logic creates one of the greatest tragic figures in contemporary cinema. An approach Lynch also repeated in the last episode of the Twin Peaks revival.

The song name in the end?

This film is surrealist. It's suppose to not make sense and it makes you feel uncomfortable.

I personally consider this the greatest film I have ever seen, the first couple times I saw this in 2003 couldn't understand it but hypnotized and for some reason intriguing. I am still intrigued by this film, the more I learn about it, the more I am intrigued.

I wish you spoke in English.

Very good analysis.

I would proffer, though, that you misunderstand the meaning of "flat affect."

"Flat affect: A severe reduction in emotional expressiveness. People with depression and schizophrenia often show flat affect. A person with schizophrenia may not show the signs of normal emotion, perhaps may speak in a monotonous voice, have diminished facial expressions, and appear extremely apathetic. Also known as blunted affect."

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26293

Dang. I usually hate hearing people evaluate Lynch. You did good, guy. Ya did good

David Lynch is my favorite director. He's a true genius. I don't know enough about film to really analyze his movies (I'll leave that to people who know better), all I know is that his movies pull me in and move me in ways I don't expect and I can't explain.

This movie became my favorite in the early 2000s and still is, for many of the reasons you skillfully outline here. This scene is the standout of many great segments in the “dream” sequence that occupies the first 2/3. In the latter third, where we learn that “Betty” is Diane, there is an equally powerful scene that has Camilla taking Diane by the hand and walking her up the hillside to her house. I only recently realized Lynch meant that scene to be riveting because it is what he references in the very opening scene of the movie. It’s what he uses to kick off the first mystery of a vortex of mysteries. It’s also a devastating and cruel scene. Badalamenti, whose work scoring Lynch recalls Hermann’s music with Hitchcock, has never been better than in this scene.

What's the song at the end?

You did a TED, where's the link, please?

Could you talk about Lost Highway by David Lynch? Please!

Amazing, just amazing

Someone once told me Mulholland Drive is the perfect representation of the Buddhist notion of the poison dream.

The Spanish cover ripped my heart out of my body and then shoved it down my throat. I watched Mulholland Drive yesterday and a movie has never messed me up so much like that had. I'm really conflicted about whether I should be hating or loving Lynch right know. I think I'm doing both.

Havent heard that music since bad company 1, holy shit

The acting scene was /not/ the raw emotion you're talking about…the song scene was more captivating and real by miles, even if the song itself isn't. The feeling is real, her fugue state/dream wasn't. This made me feel gross.

I had to cover my screen for the behind Winkies scene! Even after seeing Twin Peaks: The Return, it's still one of the most upsetting moments in movies for me.

That scene from first viewing made a huge impression on me as well. Naomi Watts is amazing here.
Of course a master of playing with expectations was Hitchcock who skillfully used it to create tension. In subsequent viewings of MD, I noticed parallels to Hitchcock (with the story, her Hitchcock blonde looks), but specifically in this scene how vulnerable she looks in the beginning, how tense it all feels – and she's even wearing a gray suit!