LOST HIGHWAY

Director: David Lynch

Country: USA, France

Year: 1997

Duration: 135 min

Languages: English / subtitled in Finnish

Category: , , ,

“Dick Laurent is dead.” These words mark the beginning of an iconically enigmatic trip that, all the way from the energetic opening credits, whisks the viewer straight into the heart of darkness. Jazz saxophonist Fred Madison (Bill Pullman) hears the words on his intercom, but sees no one outside. One by one, VHS tapes start appearing on his porch, containing footage shot both outside and inside the couple’s home, while they have been sleeping. These events rattle Fred. On the jazz club stage, Fred is a John Zorn -like saxophone fiend, but between the sheets he has trouble awakening his inner beast. When Fred finds out he is being accused of murdering his wife, his last grasp of reality is shattered.

Subconsciously inspired by the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, this mystery thriller stuffs the mood, conventions, and gangster characters of film noir into a blender and serves it all up as a hazy cocktail. Mysterious figures appear from the shadows like nightmares and erotic dreams are roughened with dissonance, but there are also some unexpectedly romantic scenes.

Shattering of identity, ambitious structure and nocturnal atmosphere create a powerful and irresistible magnetic force. The sombre reputation of this crime mystery is heightened by the fact that it was the last movie for actors such as Richard Pryor, Robert Blake, and Jack Nance (Eraserhead).

Otto Kylmälä