The first segment of the short-lived television project (which kept Lynch somewhat occupied post Twin Peaks and before going with Barry Gifford into Lost Highway), Tricks, is set in 1969. It's the story of a man (Harry Dean Stanton) right about to get busy with a stoned prostitute, and who also gets visited at that moment by an old white-bearded friend with some dark past history.
The acting is good all around, particularly from Stanton during a monologue about his first sexual encounter (Stanton could read directions to operate a lawnmower and we'd likely be riveted in some compulsory way, he's just that good). But it also doesn't really lead much anywhere, even through touches of Lynch's usual twists (the appearance of the 'friend', the final twist that does cleverly wrap around old relationship ties). It also tries to be funny, and it isn't, which makes it a little awkward when the subtle wit doesn't work.
The acting is good all around, particularly from Stanton during a monologue about his first sexual encounter (Stanton could read directions to operate a lawnmower and we'd likely be riveted in some compulsory way, he's just that good). But it also doesn't really lead much anywhere, even through touches of Lynch's usual twists (the appearance of the 'friend', the final twist that does cleverly wrap around old relationship ties). It also tries to be funny, and it isn't, which makes it a little awkward when the subtle wit doesn't work.
