"The Most Talked About Film of the Decade"... well, 2 decades ago... (Blue Velvet (DVD))

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Blue Velvet (DVD)
Date:	22/05/09 (127 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent Characters, Gripping Story

Disadvantages: n/a

As a director, David Lynch usually takes a surreal and unorthodox approach to the art of film-making, and whether you love or hate his style, there is no doubting that he has helped create some provocative and unique works during the course of his lengthy career. My favourite Lynch directed film would have to be the 1986 classic 'Blue Velvet'.

The story centres on Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan), who, after his father is taken ill, returns home and discovers a human ear in the long grass near his home. Beaumont's curious nature leads him, along with friend 'Sandy' (Laura Dern), to undergo some inquires of his own. As Jeffrey digs deeper, he reluctantly gets dragged into the sinister world of Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper), and the unusual nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini).

Those of you familiar with the films of David Lynch will realise that his work can often make for difficult viewing - 'Lost Highway', Mulholland Drive' and the recent 'Inland Empire', have left viewers frustrated and searching for meaning; I myself came close to turning off Inland Empire when it ran into its third hour! Blue Velvet however, is generally more straightforward in its narrative, featuring a coherence which is often lacking in many of Lynch's other projects.

Lych's mastery comes in the form of unusual camera angles, sequences cut in unexpected places, and a bizarre handling of audio effects which all add to the visual intrigue - these techniques in combination with the gripping story make Blue Velvet an entertaining yet disturbing spectacle.

In terms of the performances, Dennis Hopper's depiction of Frank Booth, a deranged and psychopathic crime boss, has to be top of the bill. Hopper manages to make Booth both entertaining and sickening at the same time, and certainly brings an air of unpredictability to the character.

The young Kyle Kyle MacLachlan is particularly good, ambling through the role with a certain wide eyed bewilderment. Laura Dern isn't quite as polished as the naïve, all American teen, but nevertheless works well alongside MacLachlan, and the pair share a decent on-screen chemistry.

One particularly memorable performance is Dean Stockwell's portrayal of Ben, a friend of Booth, who, in a somewhat creepy scene, mimes Roy Orbison's 'In Dreams' in chilling fashion.

Blue Velvet is probably a good place to start for someone who hasn't seen a David Lynch film before - it utilises his surrealist techniques without ever alienating the viewer - that said, the disturbing scenes will be a little too strong for some, and the language is certainly worthy of the 18 certificate. In general though, Blue Velvet makes for an unnerving but beautiful spectacle - highly recommended.

You can purchase the DVD version of Blue Velvet for £8.48 from amazon.co.uk, although I would recommend the 'special edition' version, as the picture quality is poor on the standard release.

Lead Roles
- - - - - - -
Isabella Rossellini - Dorothy Vallens
Kyle MacLachlan - Jeffrey Beaumont
Dennis Hopper - Frank Booth
Laura Dern - Sandy Williams
Hope Lange - Mrs. Williams
Dean Stockwell - Ben
George Dickerson - Det. John Williams

Summary: Lynch at his best