The Blue Velvet marks David Lynch's first apex in his film-making career and sets the right course for his later success to come. For the first time, Lynch creates a world with a dual structure, a peaceful surface of an American small town and an underground crime scene behind it, which would become the director's trademark in his more recent masterpieces such as Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive. In addition, hairstyles, clothes, and daily commodities like phones and cars, are a mish-mash of various eras from the 50s to the 80s, producing senses of timeless and confusion; this would also become Lynch's distinctive signature in the future. Casting is great--relatively unknown Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, and Kyle MacLachlan from Lynch's previous film Dune are perfect for their roles, while veteran Dennis Hopper offers one of his best performances as a violent drag addict.
Review of Blue Velvet
Blue Velvet
(1986)
Lynch's First Apex in Film-making Sets Course for His Later Success to Come
8 September 2004