I just read an essay/article on MD that, after spending 11,000 words talking about what's going on in the actual film, concludes with one of the best bits of writing I've ever read explaining just why MD is so bloody good, and relevant. Link follows the below extract. The 11,000 words that precede this section will not necessarily teach much new to anyone who's spent time discussing it, but I'd suggest you give the whole thing a read anyway.
Maybe an "MD reading links" thread would be a good idea, so I may rename this thread, but for now just read this. It's absolutely bloody brilliant.
PART 5 - SYMBIOSIS
Now that's about 11,000 words on an interpretation of one movie.
... Hulk acknowledge that may seem a tad excessive.
One person on Twitter even commented that having to write a column at that length to just understand a movie is precisely why they wouldn't want to watch it in the first place. But Hulk hope you might disagree with that line of thinking.
For one, the movie is still so compelling on a visceral level that you can get involved in it without "getting it." The first time Hulk watched the movie Hulk certainly didn't get all of it. It wasn't until a little reflection afterward where Hulk thought long and hard about the camera delving into the blue box and the difference of the last 20 minutes, that the whole dream thing really started to click. And then? All it really took was a second watch to piece it all together. So it's just two watches without writing anything down. That's it.
And for two, Hulk totally didn't need to write a column this length. Hulk could have simply said "the first two hours is a dream based on the woman's life in the last 20 minutes" and let you go on your way. What's remarkable is that it's not necessary to understand it, but that it simply allows for it. Isn't that kind of incredible? Heck, Hulk had so much fun finally writing all this shit down. It just lived in Hulk's head and in conversations for years. There's just so much great stuff to mine. And even with about 28 pages of notes, Hulk still felt like Hulk missed stuff.
And isn't that great? It's not like Hulk is arguing all movies have to be like Mulholland Drive, but really, society isn't allowed to have a few of them like this? Why does their existence somehow threaten the fabric of the universe? Please. This film is a joy to have in our lives. And even then it's not like Hulk watches it these days to mine for data (Hulk think this was Hulk's 11th time watching it?) Usually Hulk just enjoys the visceral quality on display, because it's probably the film's best aspect. It's so unnerving and emotional. It's the reason 11,000 words on symbology actually freaking work!
Hulk laugh... But if you did stick around for all 11000+ words, then Hulk commend you. Doesn't it all come together to paint an incredible picture of the psyche of guilt and displacement? The ideas of what we want from people and what we don't want? The truths we face about ourselves and the feelings we bury? Hulk challenge you to name one character you feel you "know" better than Diane Selwyn? We've gotten to see every crevice of her mind.
But Hulk also realize that it is wholly naive of Hulk, especially given the principals of semiotics, to say that Hulk has "cracked it." Hulk just feel rather confident about the ideas put forth with this film.
It's about stories, movies and dreams and how really they are all the same thing. Look how often they serve the same exact function. We always seem to get lost in them. They can operate as fantasy and displacement. They can reflect our wants, needs, and desires. But they can also provide us with catharsis and articulation. Even with its tragic elements, ultimately it's a beautiful film with a beautiful message about how we relate to the world.
But believe it or not the purpose of writing this column is not about merely cracking Mulholland Drive. Or even slobbering all over its genius.
Hulk think this column is about how we watch movies as a culture.
If there is any larger thing that Hulk wants you to take away from the details in this interpretation it's this: we should do this with every single movie.
Hulk not kidding. Hulk watches all kinds of films with the same level of attention. It has nothing to do with "difficulty" or some movies being mind-fucks. Or having complicated plots. Again, Hulk usually needs a second watch with those just as much as you.
No, what Hulk is talking about here is a constant state of awareness. A state of questioning what you are seeing. It doesn't matter what genre or audience, just ask the most simple questions: why is this character doing this? What do they want? What do they need? What is their psyche? How do these people relate to each other? Is that something that person would do? Is that not something they would do? If they're doing it, why? How does this all makes sense? What does the movie itself think about these characters?
Because good movies ask and then articulate these very same questions. Really. Every. Single. Good. Movie. This is how the psychology of cinema operates. It is how they are understood and become resonant. It is how we become invested. It is how we care.
Now... There are some that claim this process of "being aware" somehow ruins movies. That you are therefore "over-thinking" and not enjoying it.
Hulk politely calls bullshit.
It is not over-thinking it. It is just doing both. Every single puny human being has the ability to dual-process with an emotion and a thought. Every. Single. Person. And when those two line up in unison we are become involved in what we are seeing. We are being present.
Even the most grand, popular blockbuster does this. Movies like jaws do this. They combine character motivation and tension and action. They have everything about their characters and actions make sense, so that we don't have to let our brains stop us. It simply makes the visceral experience work even better.
There is no real validity to "turning your brain off" argument. That's purely an excuse to give a pass to something one knows is bad. And it's an even bigger lie because the best popcorn movies can actually turn your brain on.
We all truly have the capacity to think and enjoy. We do it constantly without being aware of it. Everyone. The thing we get hung up on is not the ability to understand, but simply the ability to articulate it.
And Hulk fully admit, the ability to read and articulate character motivation? Yeah that takes a little work and practice. But think of how one learns a language. For so long you spend time processing how you hear a language, until at a certain point, you can simply process it quickly enough to converse. And learning to understand the language of cinema is the same exact thing.
And we all have the ability to do it. If you're reading this website then there's a good chance you do it often. Cinema lovers learn that there is nothing more perfect in this world that watch to watch a film with mind, body and soul in unison.
And that's why a film like Mulholland Drive matters. It is simply one of the most interesting, thematically-rich, cerebrally-challenging, yet still emotional and visceral movies ever made.
It's a true gift of cinema.
<3 Hulk
Read me >> Film Crit Hulk Smash: HULK VS. THE GENIUS OF MULHOLLAND DRIVE
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