Lynch
I keep renting David Lynch films. I don't know why I do it. I don't enjoy them, but there's something inside me, probably my inner poseur, that tells me that I am a hypocrite if I don't enjoy David Lynch films, since he is the ultimate in non-mainstream filmmakers. And I strongly dislike mainstream cinema. Or something like that.
The problem for me, I think, is that he's a one trick pony. He does "creepy/disoriented/nightmare" like no one else can.
And that trick was really facsinating in Eraserhead, way back in the 70's/80's. It was pretty good in Blue Velvet. It was becoming iffy when Wild At Heart came out. It was tamed and corralled for television in Twin Peaks, but was loosed again into the wild for Fire Walk With Me. It was discombobulated in Mulholland Drive...
And that was the last "David Lynch" film I saw. (I did see The Straight Story -- also directed by David Lynch -- but it is the least David Lynchian David Lynch film I have ever seen. It doesn't make use of his one trick pony, and was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.)
A few nights ago, I started watching Inland Empire. His latest. A three hour art film. From what I have read, there is no clear cut narrative thread. Just a series of art films strung together. I was about twenty minutes into it when I realized that I wasn't enjoying it. That I was watching it out of some sense of obligation. To what, I am still not sure. I am really conflicted about whether or not I want to continue.
It reminded me of a book by Chuck Pahlaniuk I read once -- Haunted -- which was a series of horrific short stories strung together with a weak, horrific plot. I finished that because at the time, my only other alternative was the Bible, and that wasn't working so much for me.
If I give up on Inland Empire, I may always feel like I never gave it a chance. If I push through, I may feel like I need to sue Lynch for those three hours of my life back. I am not seeing a real upside either way.
If the whole purpose of your art is to disturb, is it really something you should be doing? Is there a good reason I should feel compelled to experience it over and over?
10 splash(es):
I have issues with David Lynch I can't explain.
I always feel like he's ripping someone else off, but not enough to be called out on it.
Like if he just twists and contorts it, then it's his own.
I can't give an example though which makes me wonder if this feeling was actually implanted by aliens during an abduction.
Chance are the answer is yes.
Forgive me for being a heartless engineer - - - it's just a movie!!! Don't overthink it!
I enjoyed Twin Peaks, but I've never really liked his movies. I think I liked Twin Peaks because it came in short bursts.
As far as Haunted, I liked that book. A lot, in fact.
S-I-L: based on your response, I am doubtful that you have ever seen a David Lynch film. If you had, one of two things would have happened -- either you'd dismiss it out of hand, not even committing the experience to long term memory, or your brain would have exploded. Since neither is measurable nor testable, I can only assume that if you had seen a Lynch film, you would have no memory of it.
"If the whole purpose of your art is to disturb, is it really something you should be doing?"
That's a good question. I think some artists just have their niche, either what they're good at doing or what is inside of them that they need to express. I like disturbing art to a certain degree. But after a while it just feels contrived. I prefer a little more subtlety, I guess, in all things. I've never seen a David Lynch movie. Quite possible because all early movies you mentioned came out during a time when I wasn't allowed to watch things like that. Maybe one day I'll put them on my NetFlix and have a very creepy weekend.
Pos - considering my sieve-like memory, I would probably forget about it. But, I must admit I'm not the most introspective person...okay, I'm not introspective at all. So, I generally don't feel the need to dig around in books or movies or any other art for that matter to try and determine some fundamental truth. I either walk away liking it or not. Is this shallow? Maybe. It's just the way I am. But, you can be assured that there are no hidden meanings in what I say or do.
Blue Velvet was one giant WTF for me. But I adored Twin Peaks. Until they moved it to Friday night...then I never saw it again.
Don't know why that happened. Also, I'm an INTJ too.
HIF -- blogger just does that sometimes. Happened to me a few times too.
INTJ's rock, but there's just so damn few of us in the world that we get drowned out by the rest of em.
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