Chicagoist: Essential Cinema: The Films of David Lynch

unnamable

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:05:37 -0600

Lynch's work operates in ways closer to visual art than to traditional narrative cinema. His movies most certainly have a meaning, but their meaning and power come from his ability to transmit his personal vision and his unparalleled mastery of creating moods through imagery and sound. Don't be distracted by the resonances with other narrative films which show up in his work, story is quasi-archetypal for Lynch. I agree with Rob: appreciating Lynch is not about 'getting' it; rather, it is about something deeper, simpler, and I enjoy that particular ride.

Ferdy

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:39:08 -0600

Who said movies have to be about meaning?! I have argued before that a traditional film lulls us with stories, gives us characters and situations that unfold for our psychological benefit and entertainment. However, a film doesn't have to do that. When it doesn't, it causes a lot of discomfort because then the viewer has to try to organize its images, sounds, and word to ocme back into psychological equilibrium. Lynch's works take people places at times, but often makes them finish the voyage on their own. The Straight Story semmed to be his attempt to see if he could make a traditional narrative. He could. Time to move on to the next thing.

evelyn

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:54:38 -0600

i will buy the "pie" analogy, but david lynch is making mincemeat-cicada pie. he's not making it because he likes it, he's not making it because other people like it. maybe some people will happen to like mincemeat-cicada pie. to them david lynch would say "that's cool. i was just making it because i head a dream about mincemeat-cicada pie so i decided to make it."* i'm not trying to talk people out of liking david lynch films. there's no point. you support me here: if you like it, you like it. if you don't, well, there's no reason to, because he's not saying anything. *which is exactly why and how he made his short film, "the alphabet."

Rob Christopher

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:55:08 -0600

Evelyn: I'm afraid that I couldn't disagree with you more. I think the problem people have is they try to understand his stuff intellectually, but the only way you can really "understand" a Lynch movie is by using intuitions and emotion. Same as with surrealism. It's like trying to "understand" what a slice of apple pie "means." I dunno, it just tastes good.

evelyn

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:41:52 -0600

"There is no such thing as a dull Lynch movie" false: The Straight Story. david lynch is brilliant not because he makes brilliant movies, but because he is playing a huge joke on EVERYONE. his movies don't mean anything. if you find meaning in them, it was an accident. the film center is, wisely, not showing the documentary about lynch, "pretty as a picture," probably because after you watch it you HATE david lynch.