Film - Review: David Lynch's Inland Empire

E.S. Day

18 years ago

Categories: Music & Film

Film – Review: David Lynch’s Inland Empire

Film Review – Inland Empire
Directed By David Lynch
Ultra 8 Pictures

Lucky 47: "A Film In Trouble"

This time out, Academy Award® Nominee David Lynch seems to have resurrected former castaway – Laura Dern and has her dangling from Lynch’s producer noose, while he percolates more of that organic coffee he has been peddling. Dern’s co-pro role finds her attempting (and succeeding) the most complex of roles to date.

Eerie as always, the mighty “D” has gone beyond the realms of predictability this time with the attributes of Eraserhead slipping into a Blue Velvet sleeping bag and camping out on the front lawn of a house somewhere on MullHolland Drive. I guess what I am getting at is – the film is intricate and unique, but to follow the story even when it unravels itself (in a laymen’s fashion) the viewer is still caught in a movie mosh – that involves some typical Lynch concoctions.

Entrails, hookers, bunny suits, carnivorous carnies and a great dance number to make Little Eva proud. Put that in an all-star cast cauldron that features a third of the “Wild at Heart “ bunch including Dern and Harry Dean Stanton, plus the opening scenes that have a third of the cast from Seinfeld. Ok not a third but Mrs. Ross and Mr.Pitt make a humble appearance.

(Mrs. Ross keeps her eyes on the marble rye)

Naomi Watts and the incomparable Jeremy Irons – round out this sumptuous stew of actors that thickens by the minute. Still, a weak score and the unnecessary 172 minutes, left much to be desired in the emotion dept. They say silence is golden – but action speaks louder than words.

Inland Empire opens in Vancouver,
May 3, at the Vancity Theatre

www.inlandempirecinema.com

By E.S. Day

CD Review - The Binges »

« Earth Day Celebration

E.S. Day: E.S. Day - 39, born in St.Johnâ€™s Nfld., grew up on the west coast in North Vancouver, relocated to Ottawa then Toronto, Halifax and spent the remainder of his years in Toronto. Afterwards, he spent 11 years in music retail with the largest flagship stores in Toronto, his diligent stance on promoting good music garnered him a commendation from the president of Warner Music Canadaâ€¦and a free lunch. It didnâ€™t stop there, Scott also toured the country for 2 years as the drummer for Hypnotic/A&M recording artists â€œBlackglamaâ€ A stint as Marketing Director for Parkland Records led him to a management contract with three of their artists. His skills also found him booking/promoting shows with/for notable urban artists such as Mos Def and Jill Scott.

As a writer, he has been featured in Vice Magazine, The Nerve, Absolute Underground, Metal Forces(UK) & Washingtonpost.com and more. He is currently the editor for Abort Magazine and producer for ABORT TV. He has recently teamed up with some local notables and they are working onâ€¦.well, we would have to kill you. Add to this, voiceovers, jingles, publicity campaigns for local talent and a successful career, as a disc jockey. Radio, mobile and club.

â€œIâ€™ve worn a lot of hats in the music business, but I â€˜d have to say music journalism is my niche and my callingâ€. Comfortable being a Jack-Of-All- Music-Trades, Scott plans on having his â€œTell allâ€ memoirs of 20 years in the business, published by 2008.

Copyright Â© 2007 E.S. Day. All Rights Reserved.