Oh, a David Lynch film... where to begin? Lost Highway was Lynch's first film in 7 years since Wild At Heart and is the first part of a thematic trilogy (including Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire). It stars Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty and a cast of peculiar characters including Robert Blake as the Mystery Man, Henry Rollins as a jail guard, and Marilyn Manson and his bassist Twiggy doing some freaky shit on VHS. Lost Highway is a mindfuck, plain and simple.
The first half plays out with Fred and Rene Madison (Pullman and Arquette). They have a strained marriage and start receiving videotapes on their doorstep that become increasingly intrusive. The second half plays out with Pete and Alice (Getty and Arquette) having an affair behind Mr. Eddie's back. Yes, Patricia Arquette plays two roles. Yes, this is a thing for Lynch, who repeats the formula in Mulholland Drive by having his two main stars (Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring) both play dual roles.
Lost Highway is thick with sex, eroticism and disturbing behind-the-scenes violence. Surrealism abounds as in all Lynch's work. If you haven't seen it, don't get too wrapped up in trying to make every piece fit. It's a film that requires multiple viewings because the first time will only give you a headache. It's an interesting story once you start making sense of it (which I am not going to spoil here). Those who have seen it have already formed their opinions as to what everything meant and if you want to spoil it for yourself, you can check out one of the hundreds of forums dedicated to dissecting every second.
I personally didn't need everything to be explained to me in order to appreciate the movie for what it was: a rollercoaster ride that leaves you wanting to experience it all over again. Lynch made a winner here and that's all that matters.
Haven’t seen this fantastic movie in years. I think I may remedy that tonight!
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