Friday, February 18, 2011

Fire Walk With Me

Fire Walk With Me, 1992. Written and directed by David Lynch.
starring: Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise

This is by far my favorite of Lynch's films; like Twin Peaks but with nudity, bludgeoning, and swearing. RIGHT ON. What I like best about this film is the utter comedy thrown in (with all the jazz music, love for blonds, and fear of the elderly). I don't think I've laughed so hard in months as during the first hour of this film. Just ridiculous.

-Gordon Kohl's voice, "GET ME AGENT CHESTER DESMOND IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA!" and uncomfortable beat with secretary before she walks out. And pretty much Gordon Kohl's voice anytime, anywhere.

-The whole Lil production. Seriously. "CHET! YOUR SURPRISE!"

-The entire scene from start to finish in the diner. The flashing lights in the front room together with Jack's explanation about Irene. Irene herself. "Are you talking about that little girl that got murdered?" "I KNOW SHIT FROM SHINOLA!" Once again, "Are you talking about that little girl that got murdered?"

-Carl (played by Harry Dean Stanton). The sharpie-written threats on the door. "This is all just the way she left it, I ain't touched a GODDAMNED THING!" Good Morning America = coffee. And all the creepy random people wandering in and around Carl's trailer: WHERE'S MY GODDAMNED HOT WATER? HOT WATER, CARL!" he replies, "I'm gonna get you a Valium."
Harry Dean Stanton is a genius.

This is where we live, Shelly!
The comedy factor obviously goes down from there, but it's a lovely ride. David Lynch is an extremely strange man in his own little world, but seriously. The man loves blondes and can write awkward/funny; aces in my book.

One final note: Once while discussing this film, at the part where Laura is doing lines in her mismatched lingerie up in her bedroom, I said, "WHAT THE FUCK IS SHE WEARING?" My brother in law responded (completely deadpan), "Nothin' but the best for Jacques and Leo. . . "

Bobby Briggs: I would so hit that.
I just love it. After LOST, Twin Peaks has got to be my very favorite television event. And I'm glad (for my own health and safety) that I didn't see this in high school. Bobby Briggs would have done me in. This has all gotten me into a very Twin Peaks kind of mood. (Laura Palmer? See you later!)

3 comments:

Donald said...

We need to start a he said / she said blog where we just disagree on everything. Or, better yet, a blog where we just talk about that Kevin Bacon movie He Said/ She Said.

Just kidding. Kinda.

I am with you totally on the Twin Peaks thing. It's one of my all time favorite shows and I've seen every episode about 800 times. I love it. However, Fire Walk With Me sucked so bad because it lacked everything I loved about the TV show.

I agree that the first part with Chester Desmond was amazing. That would've been a great movie. However, that wasn't the movie. The movie was all about Laura Palmer, who was interesting as a Macguffin that set the plot rolling in the TV show, but not so much as a main character. Twin Peaks was all about the characters and the town, while this movie was all about Laura.

Zzzzzzzzzzz.

Anna said...

you're on.

Jess B. said...

As a MAJOR Twin PEaks fan, I wasn't sure how I felt about Fire Walk With Me, but now it holds a special place in my heart. I think it is because, for the first time, we actually get to see the side of the LIVING Laura Palmer that we missed with the show. The only thing I thought was lacking was that I will forever see Laura Flynn Boyle as Donna, NOT Moira Kelly. David Lynch is GENIUS!

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