Writer/Director: David Lynch
Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring and Justin Theroux
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have built a legacy as strong as Naomi Watts. Ever since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Watts has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s survivors of disasters, frustrated mothers or Broadway performers, Watts has played several strong characters. Arguably, Watts’ finest strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always poured her heart and soul in each and every role. Watts has never been afraid of taking risks in her career playing by portraying complex women that aren’t likeable. Through her abilities to create compelling women that audiences can relate to, Watts has become an actress audiences value. A movie-star with an immense commitment to her craft, Watts has become a celebrated actress in entertainment. Throughout her prosperous career, Watts has created several unforgettable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Watts and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Mulholland Drive” is dedinitelt my favourite. Ever since its release in 2001, David Lynch’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s one of the best murder mystery movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Naomi Watts, who portrays a disturbed actress embarking on a journey to discover her identity. Ultimately, what makes “Mulholland Drive” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most David Lynch movies that are targeted toward a small audience, the film tackle strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which will resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing murder mystery masterpiece, there are many reasons why “Mulholland Drive” is a movie that’s worth seeing.
Set in Los Angeles, “Mulholland Drive” tells the story of an actress that embarks on a journey to discover her identity. Naomi Watts portrays Betty Elms, an aspiring actress that has bright dreams achieving success in Hollywood. Betty has always been determined to become a bold actress with a bright future. However, Betty’s life dramatically changes when she meets Rita (Laura Harring). Rita is an amnesiac woman which has experienced a severe car accident causing trauma. As Betty gets to know Rita, the two form a strong friendship. As the pair of mismatched actresses develop a strong bond, they begin to question whether it’s possible for them to attain success in an industry of which they are fond. Facing series of strange events, Betty questions whether she will ever be able to accomplish goals in Hollywood which she is seeking.
David Lynch has always been fascinated with surreal stories. A fantastic filmmaker, Lynch has built an image for his abilities to tell bold tales of characters whose lives are in danger. His award-winning movie “The Elephant Man” told the story of a man suffering from severe facial deformities. With “Mulholland Drive”, however, Lynch created his first Hollywood period piece. It was the filmmaker’s attempt capturing lives of actresses in Hollywood that face barriers but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Lynch captures an actress embarking on a surreal journey to discover her identity. Lynch expertly uses low-key lighting capturing the lives of actresses seeking to find their identity in a downtrodden city. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as breathtaking as the roles actresses seek to materialize. For instance, the low-key lighting elevates the car accident scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rita experiences a dark car accident that causes trauma. One admires low-key lighting capturing the hardships which traumatized actresses are enduring. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” suggested, low-key lighting elevates serial killer movies. That being said. It works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Lynch captures tensions which actresses seeking success in Hollywood are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Mulholland Drive” that merits appreciation is production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Lynch effectively uses real-life locations in Los Angeles to capture lives of actresses seeking success. Inspired by Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”, Lynch uses engaging locations in Los Angeles to capture the allure of the city. For instance, the real-life locations elevate the Hollywood arrival scene. During this unforgettable scene, Betty feels a sense of excitement marvelling at the city of Los Angeles when she visits it for the first time. One appreciates real-life locations capturing the beauty of the city. Furthermore, the music is magnificent. Angelo Badalamenti’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that actresses bear. Through powerful production-design, Lynch captures the lives of actresses in a doomed city which experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Mulholland Drive” is a captivating classic that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and deftly uses unreliable narration to capture the tensions which actresses in Hollywood are often facing. Throughout the film, Betty often finds it hard to distinguish differences between her dreams and reality, instance, the unreliable narration enhances the house meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Betty meets Rita for the first time in her apartment. One admires unrealizable narration capturing the hardships which actresses in Los Angeles are enduring. Unreliable narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, narration elevates commemorated science fiction blockbusters. Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” claimed that narration elevates commemorated movies about Schizophrenia. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Lynch captures the lives of commemorated actresses seeking success in L.A.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Naomi Watts delivers one of her best career performances as Betty. Watts first achieved appreciation for playing heroines in terrifying horror films. With “Mulholland Drive”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an actress that becomes involved in a life of crime in L.A., but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable roles. With captivating expressions, she captures the angst, curiosity and resentments of a commemorated actress seeking to find her identity in Los Angeles. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actresses which is currently working in the film industry today.
Laura Harring is captivating as an amnesiac woman haunted by a grim car accident which is frightening. While Watts gets the showier role, Harring is equally excellent as a woman which faced an emotional toll. Whether she’s having trouble remembering the details of her life or haunted by car accidents which prove frightening, Harring uses strong expressions to create a female character which is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most underrated actresses that is working in the film industry today.
Finally, “Mulholland Drive” would earn praise of everyone for capturing the lives of actresses seeking to survive. Unlike most movies about L.A., it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of identity, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Los Angeles to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Therefore; “Mulholland Drive” is one of those rare movies about L.A. everyone would adore.
Fans of Naomi Watts would definitely enjoy “Mulholland Drive” and so will movie-goers seeking thoughtful entertainment. A riveting mystery masterpiece about L.A., it honours an actress that has built a lasting legacy today.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about actresses with big dreams seeking to find their way in the film industry of L.A. with a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 