Mulholland Drive and Learning About Film Noir
How Mulholland Drive Changed my Outlook on Movies and Storytelling
Mulholland Drive was a film among many David Lynch films I watched for my Winter Film Noir class. We dove into the intricacies of the director David Lynch and film noir as a whole. From those tacky Venetian blinds to the devious plotting of the femme-female followed detective narratives, chiaroscuro lighting, and what defines film noir as film noir. Every class started with a brief introduction to the director, a preview and premise of the film, and what to keep in mind. We were told to take notes during the movie which I sometimes did, but I found myself having to remember to breathe while writing down my thoughts and what stood out after the film. Early on, a lot of the films were from the 40s-60s and I was weirdly drawn to slower-paced films, older clothes, and quirky dialogue. I liked Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, and Kiss Me Deadly, they set up the framework for understanding what makes film noir, film noir. But it was when we transitioned to watching David Lynch, my world was turned upside down. I remember watching Eraserhead, one of Lynch’s earlier films, and being so thoroughly lost, and I loved that. I had never seen something quirky, weird, and experimental.
Did it have a point, I don’t think it did. It certainly challenged me and my previous understanding of…
