Lost Highway [Blu-ray] (1997)

Good film

Having purchased and returned the debacle that was the David Lynch Blu Ray boxset, I just wanted to write a quick review to confirm that, unlike the boxset version of Lost Highway, this standalone release is NOT faulty, and does not skip/ jump/ freeze at the (approximately) 1hr 20min mark. As far as I'm aware, Universal have yet to give an indication of when they'll sort out the problems with the boxset, so I've started to purchase them individually. Please also note that the standalone Blu Ray's DON'T come with the postcards of the disc covers that come with the boxset, which is a bit of a shame, but I'd prefer a working film to a postcard. Although I haven't purchased it yet (and am unlikely to at this stage), I understand that the sound issues with the Fire Walk With Me Blu Ray release are on both the boxset AND standalone releases, so I'd guard against purchasing that one yet, as we all know how important sound is in a David Lynch film! Five stars, of course, for a fantastic film. As you'd expect from Lynch: weird, wonderful, and able to get completely under your skin. Others have written much better reviews of the film itself. I just wanted to clarify on the technical issues.

From the opening title sequence, accompanied by David Bowie’s I’m Deranged, it is obvious that one is literally being taken on a dark ride to an undetermined destination, and as the story progresses it becomes obvious that all is not what it seems. It begins creepily with a couple, Fred (Bill Pullman) and Renee (Patricia Arquette) being sent a videotape of somebody filming the exterior of their home. As more tapes arrive over time, they begin to reveal that whoever is filming has managed to enter their home. But there has been no forced entry, so who is responsible? Amidst this situation, Fred has his suspicions about the fidelity of his wife, but they are just suspicions, and his resignation and repressed feelings prevent any meaningful confrontation. Then one dark night....... This, as it turns out is only the beginning of a nightmare where reality is in question, and the answers, if any, are sometimes undefinable. There are many twists and turns, but strangely enough there is a demented logic to it all. Have I witnessed the delusions of a man suffering from schizophrenia or diassaociative personality disorder? Is it all a bad dream or is it a never ending loop of one man’s hell? The viewer can decide this for themselves. A strange, beguiling, intriguing and seductive film and one of my three favourite David Lynch films; the other two being Eraserhead and Blue Velvet. It looks great, sounds great, and is still a fascinating ride into the darkest depths of the subconscious. The Blu ray transfer looks great, but I have deducted one star because of a lack of extras that are actually related to the film itself. The dvd release from cinema club did that at the very least. However, there are 4 short audio/visual experiments, and 6 short films that will please Lynch completists. Enjoy the ride!

Usual, intriguing unhinged Lynch drama and he after all is the master of this. I was going to say 'genre' but Lynch is out there by himself so the 'genre' is all his own. It is a genre of the dream where the viewer is rendered in a half awake state to wonder which bits are happening and which are the result of a disturbed imagination. I feel his films are compulsive viewing and even upon second viewing when you know you don't like the content of what is coming next you feel compelled to suffer it yet again. In short, I do not think I like the content of his films yet still regard them as accomplished. Like those awful fairy stories I heard as a child that enthralled me on one hand yet disturbed my psyche for days afterwards. Curiously, he avoids the fetishistic excesses of Tarantino's later work (exclude Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and even Kill Bill vol. 1 which have excesses but which still retain something to respect) that say lots about Tarantino himself but very little else. I am certain Lynch is better than Tarantino because of this and is a great director as opposed to Tarantino who almost got there but lost the plot (s) somewhere. Neither are in the same ball park as directors such as Fellini, Bunuel, Bela Tarr and Luc Godard however in my opinion.

Given David Lynch's extraordinary talent for doing your head in, I do think this is one of the more approachable of his "difficult" films. It certainly has a more direct and linear narrative feel than "Inland Empire", for example. The layers of "meaning" and/or philosophy etc are undoubtedly there if you want to have a go at digging into them, but the film remains quite exciting and engrossing to actually just plain sit and watch. Provided you're happy with the Bill Pullman main character changing his appearance completely half-way through... Seriously, this really is one great movie and the picture quality of this BluRay release is outstanding. The bonus features, as other reviewers have said, are worthy of David Lynch, in that they're totally weird, cryptic in the extreme, and shed no light whatsoever on the film ! Oh well. Very highly recommended anyway. Enjoy the head trip !

Lynch, Ive had issues with this director before. I don't like Mulholland Drive, I know because Ive watched it three or four times just to be sure but this , 'this tickles me right on the spot. Absolutely brilliant. Obvious its not your average dark noir fare, there's bits of Quentin Tarantino and sometimes even a near music video but the story line is always foremost in your mind. Some might think its hard to understand but its all there and like a Picasso, you just have to look from the right angle and its a pure masterpiece.

Other reviewers have described this film well so I will be brief. It is surreal, ground breaking and unmissable. David Lynch creates masterpieces, every scene seems to be meticulously laid out. The soundtrack complements the film perfectly. It is sometimes difficult to know exactly what is happening in his work and plot twists are not signposted which is very refreshing. If you want to see unique, memorable films try anything in his back catalogue. Also, Twin Peaks, in my humble opinion is the greatest piece of film making of all time. If you haven't seen the series, I urge you to buy it. Absolute genius.

Excellent movie for fans of David Lynch........ Weird city man ha!! Very enjoyable in a dark sort of way....... Great cast and moody out-there story and visuals........ Loved the soundtrack as well....... David Bowie's I'm deranged fitted extremely well!! Highly recommended....