How do I start? Well, let me say, to all the idiots who thought "La La Land" was the greatest thing since who knows what, then you should see David Lynch's 2001 film, "Mulholland Drive," because it is the film "La La Land" was trying to be--a less romanticized glimpse into the underbelly of Hollywood, and more truthful, for Hollywood, as the cumulative American cultural embodiment of dream success, is also a place that can destroy one fast. The film shows us the destruction of an individual, Betty, played by Naomi Watts. But, as viewers, the film reminds us we are drawn to that same destruction ourselves; all it takes is arresting visuals, onto which we project what we want to see.
After that dance opening, which turns out to be Betty's (Naomi Watts) ticket to Hollywood, by wining said dance contest, the shot of her arrival, and the radiance of Watts' outlook has not been seen, since Judy Garland pulled open that sepia toned door, and stepped into the Technicolor wonderland of Oz. Betty is all of us, full of hopes and dreams. She even has an in; staying at her Aunt Ruth's apartment, at 1612 Havenhurst, on Mulholland Drive.
Just look at this residence. Who would not want to stay there?
And the interiors are splendidly noir, and creepy, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, this post will feature a lot of pics, but it is time to get analytical. Who are the seeming parental figures, walking Naomi out of the airport. Are they really her parents? Or, are they allegories of Good and Evil, sending her to what they know is her own doom? I go with this last interpretation. Especially when they sneak in through the door as little people, near the end.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, a Gene Tierney looking party gal, named Rita (Laura Harring) is being taken allegedly to a party on Mulholland Drive, though I think somewhere to be killed. The car has an accident, and Rita escapes, hiding out in Aunt Ruth's apartment, where Betty resides, and discovers her. Rather than chasing her out, she allows to her to stay, and this is where things get really interesting, because, a la Bergman's "Persona," Rita and Betty morph into one another, until one cannot tell who is who. Even when Betty is on camera, we see Rita, whose personality is leading Betty down a disillusioning path of lesbian depravity sure to shatter her Hollywood expectations.
See? They even go out on the town, looking like each other! Just like all us girls should do, once in awhile! And Club Silencio is certainly the place!!!!!!! If you have not gotten the idea already this is where you should get the idea that Betty and Rita are one and the same person. One persona is just taking over the other.
Betty is also Diane Selwyn, whose house we see, but never actually see her, except as Naomi. Her personality is disintegrating to where we are getting into the same territory as Roman Polanski's film, "Repulsion." Only, no repulsive rabbits, thank God!
Meanwhile, what of Camilla Rhodes? She looks enough like Naomi Watts, but is played by Melissa George, who scored big as Rosie, whom I went crazy over, and related to, on the 2015 NBC miniseries, "The Slap." Still, I believe Betty is also Camilla, just another indicator of her downward trajectory.
Here, we have Rena Riffel, as Laney, the hooker, who wants to have Camilla killed. Notice again how easily this actress could be mistaken for Naomi Watts. Again, Laney is Betty!!!!!!!!!!
"Mulholland Drive" is the story of Betty's self-destruction in Hollywood, by going from radiant arrival, to street hooker. She descends into an almost schizoid madness when the Hollywood she has fabricated for herself, does not match up with her illusions. She ends up broke, and on the street, asking to have "Camilla" killed, when, in fact, she is asking to have herself killed.
Of course, the film has the humor of Anne Miller as Coco, the scene stealing of Lee Grant as crazy neighbor, Louise, who knows how to steal a scene when she is in it. Moments like these counteract the film's tragic darkness.
My favorite is Mr. Roque, the disabled midget in the chair, and that eerie room. Mr. Roque, played by Michael J. Anderson, is master of all that takes place in "Mulholland Drive;" he is the movie's stand in for David Lynch.
So, that is my take on "Mulholland Drive. Let me say that my interpretation is most informing on myself; I do not presume to speak for others who may view things differently. These are my last words on the subject, though I will gladly hear other interpretations.
Ironically, the film fits in well with "Valley Of The Dolls." Remember when Susan Hayward, as Helen Lawson, says of Neely (Patty Duke), "Nothing can destroy her talent. But she will destroy herself?"
"Mulholland Drive" illustrates such a destruction.
Actually, my Thirties was kind of like "Mulholland Drive. And it was right here in New York.
You don't have to go to Hollywood, to get into trouble.
I will end this post on the most ringing phrase I could give it--
"Silencio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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