There are some movies that are so gripping that you can come out with multiple interpretations of them. And still you can't explain them as one true canon storyline. I think lost highway is one such movie by David Lynch that would keep you think for years.
This is one of those movies which has plenty of "Explained" videos on YouTube. And each of those interpretations are different or try to explain in a way they think it could be.
So today let's review the movie - Lost Highway.
Image credit: Indiewire
I am going to go in depth with some parts of the movie so that when you watch it, despite not spoiling it for you in terms of the story, you'd be able to connect some pieces which I explain to you here.
Story
Take my word for it. No matter how many people explain this story to you. There is always going to be different interpretation of it. And you won't get this movie in one sitting in terms of interpretation. You have to watch multiple times and connect the dots.
You are looking at the character who goes through various phases in his life to become who he is right now. And then his choices leads to something that gets him running on dark country highway. Hence the name of the movie - lost highway. Now this may sound like oversimplification but this journey has too many interpretations.
Image credit: Indiewire
To make it easier for you. You are basically watching the present, past and the middle of the journey of one character. And still you'd be finding yourself on whether this is about his inner soul search or if it's shown as the real timeline. It may give you feeling like you are watching someone's afterlife story. And in another instant you'd feel like psychological ride in their trauma or like moments before death.
Characters
You will basically find 2 common characters in the movie. Rest of the other characters change based on how the lead character goes to and from multiple time phases. However the actress remains the same all over the timeline a bit in different context in each time.
Image credit: Indiewire
Do note that there are some of the intercourse scenes in the movie which you will understand later why they are there at specific time if you dig deep enough. Also if you are watching this movie with rest of the family (read kids). You have been warned. Actress has gone through various softcore (and hardcore) intercourse scenes which is kind of there to distract the viewers but to also fill in the story in such way they understand the role of the actress. She is pretty attractive throughout the whole movie. And if you watch the movie completely you will realize why there are intimate scenes and why she says - " you will never have me".
If you have issues with intimacy scenes then you can check out few other psychological horror movie list.
Observer
I didn't wanted to include this part about the movie into the review. But a lot of people ask that question and kind of get confused on the observer character. You will come across that person within movie during all the time phases of the actor. And it would make you wonder why? who? how? about this person.
Image credit: Indiewire
You can think of this character in multiple ways. You can think of this character as afterlife score keeper who is documenting your sins to show you before the judgement. You can think of this character as the subconscious mind of the actor that is showing him the journey he took. The type of interpretation you choose would change the rest of the story accordingly. Told ya, it's not easy to connect the dots.
Direction and Plot Execution
In 2021, we are seeing a lot of garbage movies that are just full of CGI and lack the acting and the story. But in 1997, you would find direction to such depth that you would be still appreciating this movie after all these years. David lynch is such genius guy that has kept the murder, intercourse, love, fear and mystery content all in one. And he knows how to get people to connect the dots.
Image credit: Indiewire
You would watch this movie and then scour the internet for various "explained" videos over the internet. And you wont be happy with either one of those interpretations. That is the power of the David lynch. He is kind of like one step better than Christopher Nolan.
Best Part
Movie has plenty of best parts and you will run out of things to appreciate. But here are some of the good ones.
- Acting. Yes both actor and actress worth appreciating.
- Story. Most strongest part of the movie.
- Direction and overall execution
and now let's point out some of the parts which were kind of not so good about the movie.
Worst Part
So there are some of the parts that were a bit hard to understand.
- Tangent stories in actors timeline that don't connect properly
- Flow of story
- Slow pacing at some of the points.
That being said, once you watch the movie with the intention to know more. You would simply love the plot and also enjoy the trippy flow of the story.
So should you watch this movie? Yes. If you are into thriller and the psychological horror and drama. Then you should watch it. I already gave you PG 18 warning if you watch movies with kids or family, this one is not that group watch type.
If you are into thriller and the psychological horror type of the movies, then Lost Highway is worth watching.
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