Inland Empire

Last Thursday the new David Lynch film finally premiered in the Netherlands. As this film had got raving reviews I wanted to go at the first opportunity possible. Of course, I would have gone to see it anyway since I am a huge fan of Lynch’s work. Yesterday I was done early with my teaching which gave me the perfect chance. The film started at 6 and continued till after 9, which was the reason I had to pay €2 more. But it was worth it. Reviewers have said that this film puts you in a kind of delirium, and it really does. It is about any actrice (Laura Dern) who gets a job in a new film. It turns out that the film is a remake (but the producers didn’t tell the director or any of the actors). The original film wasn’t finished because the main characters were killed.

Then all kinds of weird stuff happens. Ironing bunnies in a sitcom and hookers with screwdrivers. A particularly interesting scene is the one in which a couple of hookers are talking and one shows the others her breasts. Then they start talking about tits and ass. The scene then changes from real to surreal when they start talking about hips and then start singing and dancing on a famous song by Kylie Minogue.

Another interesting and strange scene is the one in which she throws up on the famous Hollywood stars and then, in her struggle to stay alive, meets two children who talk to each other almost completely ignoring her. But then, when she nearly collapses, this boy flicks on a lighter in which she can stare. For comfort.

She does die at this point. However, as this is a film about films and about acting, this is not the end. The true end of the film, after three hours of pleasure and being on a high, is truly a bonus. There is dancing and singing and famous actors from other films. Also the end credits are incorporated in this.

There’s really not much more to say. You should definitely go and see this film. If you have seen Mullholland drive, then the last 10 minutes will be especially interesting.