Directed By: David Lynch
Written By: David Lynch & Robert Engels
Based on the television series created by: David Lynch & Mark Frost
Cinematography By: Ron Garcia
Editor: Mary Sweeney
Music Score By: Angelo Badalamenti
Cast: Sheryl Lee, Moria Kelly, Dana Ashbrook, Madchen Amick, James Marshall, Ray Wise, Grace Zabriskie, Kyle Maclachlan, David Bowie, Chris Isaak, Kiefer Sutherland, Heather Graham, David Lynch, Miguel Ferrer, Pamela Gidley, Jurgen Prochnow, Harry Dean Stanton, Lenny Von Dohlen, Frances Bay, Rick Aiello, Frank Silva
A young FBI agent disappears while investigating a murder miles from Twin Peaks that may be related to the future murder of Laura Palmer; the last week of the life of Laura Palmer is chronicled.
This was the first David Lynch movie I ever saw in the theater. It was definitely a shock to my system. Even more memorable because my mother took me to see it. As she was a fan of the television series TWIN PEAKS and had gotten me into it. We were both not ready for what we watched and what was unleashed before us. As it was definitely not appropriate for us to watch together, but I believe that is part of the appeal of not only cinema but his cinema. Where people come into expecting a mainstream mystery involving attractive people and what they get is an artistic experience and expression where there are no Real answers and everything is open to interpretation. Here he had a chance to make what was logically a prequel, but a sequel to one of his works and probably the closest we will ever get. It also offered a chance to answer so many questions left hanging when it came to the TWIN PEAKS series. It is also the closest he would ever come to an adaptation as this could be seen as one for the tie-in book to the series THE DIARY OF LAURA PALMER that was written by his daughter Jennifer Lynch.
As at the time it seemed like this would be the closest to try and get some closure or at least hopefully this prequel would lead to maybe further movies that would continue or end the story. Here David Lynch got more room to move around in that was more a natural fit and didn't have as many boundaries as television.
As here her got to have the characters behave in a more natural element as well as being allowed to show things that could only be alluded to or cut from on television. So there is plenty of graphic violence, sex, nudity and drugs. We also get to see the characters before we know if their eventual fate on the series. We get to see the lead up. Which might also be fun to a degree if you remember what they admitted to on the series and here we get to see if they were actually telling the full truth. Of course this film is more abstract it is creepier Than the series. It also plays more like a horror film where you know the eventual fate of the main character but still watch on the edge of your seat.
What I remember most about this film and will always be the defining scenes for me are the opening 20 minutes that involve the FBI agent played by Chris Isaak and Kiefer Sutherland that involves digging underneath and pulling out of a corpses fingernails. That keeps on with Lynch's motif of things hidden beneath the surface, but was hard to sit through and makes the rest of the movie uncomfortable as anything can happen throughout and usually does. Which might be why it took me so long to ever watch it again. Also those opening 20 minutes also play like a rougher look alike version of the series that seems warped of some kind.
Everything after those first twenty minutes does provide the last day's of Laura palmer's life so for those who didn't read the book you get to see that and more. As the film opens more mysteries and conspiracies. Though at least we see certain acts that were never mentioned on the series and we get to see others points of view particularly her father's all the while she is heading for her inevitable conclusion.
We also get to see most of the cast, except for Sherilyn Fenn who doesn't reprieve her role as Laura's best friend Audrey Horne. Here she is replaced by Moira Kelly who has a more innocent look that works for the character in the film and gives a more realistic look. Was thrown off at first. But get used to it. That makes Sherilyn Fenn though she originated the character more like the glossy version of the character Sheryl Lee really gives her all in her performance seeming like she gives her heart, body and soul in her performance which seems like one of a lifetime.
This is a sad story that manages to affect you while setting up a history for the characters we might already know. As well as being a messed up after school special.
This film took me a while to get over and watch again. Though when I did come back to it o could see how it fits into the David Lynch motif more cinematically. Though it noticeably lacks any humor that his films employ at times. It might be due to the material and it's Mission. Which makes everything seem more deadpan though Really goes with the abstract touches to help color them.
One added bonus of the film and convinced me I had to see it In theaters was he casting of David Bowie who plays a pivotal role in the film but it is brief and in a bit of humor. His scenes are interrupted by static and can only see him in bits and pieces but can hear him. Though he and the way his scenes play only add to the off center ambiance of the film.
Even as the film Acts like a mystery that you know the ending of. But must see how we get there. As we constantly hope that there will be something to save Laura Palmer at least this film gives her a sort of peace and spiritual ending. A relief to all of her suffering on earth. The film plays like a critically acclaimed album that you listen to and don't get it. Though on subsequent listens that you are convinced to take it finally starts getting to you and making sense and can't believe the genius on display and how long it took you to recognize it.
What works for David lynch is that while offering more of European artistic sheen. His movies can be seen as alien or from outer space, but His films are no doubt rooted in Americana and the work of a human being. As they take place in the Midwest and Los Angeles usually and seem to be about innocence being corrupted and subverted and usually have dark haired leading ladies somewhere in the film who resemble bombshells and femme fatales. Either way they are usually beautiful in a classic 1950's throwback way.
Me not anyone else can really explain what this movie or most David Lynch movies are really about. His films are those you have to experience and seem to be more about your individual interpretation and what you take away from them.
If you have seen the series it might help only a bit to understand the film more. As it might be more interesting to watch before you even see the show as this is literally the beginning though made after the series. So it is a way out introduction that gets more understandable as it goes along. Even in the second season in the show where it seems to get a little off track.
A spin off series was brought the table that was an early incarnation of the pilot and eventual series MULLHOLLAND DRIVE. They would have had Sherilyn Fenn as Audrey Horne move to Los Angeles to be an actress and finding herself in the middle of a new mystery. While watching her adventures trying to make it in the industry.
The film can along at the right time as many felt no complete closure when it came to the series even though offering an ending most didn't either find it satisfactory or were left with so many questions that they were hoping the movie would answer some. Though this being Lynch, he played with expectation and made it even more confusing and added to the mystery.
What audiences got was at least a reunion with characters they grew to love and become fascinated with. Learn a bit more about their pasts. When it comes to the films of david lynch we are left to ask are they really as good as critics say they are or is he coasting by and calling his non linear films art. It is really in the eye of the individual audience member. As there is obviously talent behind the camera and a strong grasp over everything.
It also takes talent to make a film that can feel incoherent but also have the audience feel like they are take. On a journey and that there is a beginning middle and end. Even if they don't come in the traditional order. They are more presented as avant-garde. Kind of a literal torture porn at least for the main character. As she knows the tragic ending she will face. This just shows us how she got there as well as widening the paranormal and mystical history of the town.
We watch as she is degraded and marching towards this unfortunate conclusion. As she allows many to take advantage of her. It seems all in the name of fun and good times, but also seems like a speeding train that can't slow down and while in the town's seedy underground. Crosses paths with the otherworldly bob who possesses her father and slowly takes out his vengeance on her at different times.
The movie has plenty of nudity, sex and violence that is hard to watch to a degree. As it is like watching the central character slowly dying and murdered throughout. Though David Lynch puts substance behind it where this fate can never be in doubt nor can it be lead anywhere else. Smashing the television. In the beginning of the film to show that the gloves are off. At this point her doesn't have to follow any rules as this isn't the tv-show killing that idea.
Watching the Chris Issak and Kiefer Sutherland in the beginning. I wish they had more to do as their scenes and rapport Are quite entertaining almost like an introductory short film of sorts. Before we are thrust back into twin peaks. I only wish they had more to do or were at least incorporated more into the seeming mythology
Grade: B
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