Blue Velvet - David Lynch (1986)

This is a film that I had seen before...but a looooooooong time ago. I recall it being weird, I just couldn't remember exactly how or why.  And I was actually not really looking forward to watching it.


I happened to have this movie taped, and when Dennis Hopper died (a few weeks back) I decided it was a good time to watch it. He is brilliant. So far on this list I have seen 4 movies with him in it (including this one): 'Rebel Without a Cause', 'Apocalypse Now', 'Easy Rider' and now 'Blue Velvet'. I don't think anyone could play a crazy mo-fo like Mr. Hopper could. And quite frankly, he made 'Blue Velvet' entertaining for me.


In my post movie watching reading Roger Ebert said something that I totally agreed with. In the film, Isabella Rossellini on many levels is very vulnerable and naked (both physically and emotionally). He says, with regard to Rossellini's raw emotional energy: "They're so strong that they deserve to be in a movie that is sincere, honest and true. But 'Blue Velvet' surrounds them with a story that's marred by sophomoric satire and cheap shots." To me, that's what is 'wrong' with the film. There is a dissonance to it that just doesn't feel right to me.


I do have to say that watching it in context of the other films on the list, I do appreciate the artistic quality of it, and the influences. It is definitely from the 'Film Noir' school of film-making. 


Overall, quality film. 


One word to describe 'Blue Velvet': Dissonant.