The Big Picture The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 6 - 'Mulholland Drive’
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Nov 5, 2025 The hosts dive into the surreal world of 'Mulholland Drive,' exploring Naomi Watts' breakthrough performance and the film's rich tapestry of Americana and European surrealism. They reflect on its eerie dreamlike structure, discussing theories and interpretations that make it endlessly fascinating. Highlights include a chilling diner scene, the haunting Silencio sequence, and Lynch's unique relationship with actresses. The conversation emphasizes the film's emotional depth and its status as a gateway to surrealist cinema.
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Lynch's Hybrid Cinematic Language
- Mulholland Drive synthesizes Americana, European surrealism, classic Hollywood glamour, and outsider art into a single cinematic language.
- That fusion makes the film feel like a culmination of David Lynch's recurring motifs and sensibilities.
From Failed TV Pilot To Cannes Film
- Mulholland Drive began as a failed TV pilot that Lynch later reworked into a film.
- Robert Forster learned he appeared in the movie only after a friend told him it had premiered at Cannes.
A Portrait Of Hollywood's Psychological Toll
- Mulholland Drive is one of the best films about the emotional cost of chasing Hollywood dreams.
- It compresses the loneliness, aspiration, and psychological erosion of people striving to 'make it' in L.A.
