Review: “Blue Velvet” Brings a Mystery Wrapped in David Lynch’s Signature Weirdness

David Lynch could be the most polarizing filmmaker of all time. Love his work or hate it, he brings a unique style to everything he touches. “Eraserhead,” “Mulholland Drive,” and “The Straight Story” are Lynch movies I loved. “Lost Highway” I hated but that’s still a success rate of 75%.

“Blue Velvet” is a 1986 mystery film with noir thriller aspects and gratuitous sadism. It’s grounded but still possesses Lynch’s signature weirdness. He was nominated for Best Director for the picture, losing to Oliver Stone (Platoon).

Small Town Vibes

Set in the small town of Lumberton, NC, we meet Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) a college student who, minutes into the film, discovers a severed human ear. Jeffrey teams with Sandy (Laura Dern), the police chief’s daughter to investigate the bizarre mystery of the ear.

Cinematography is on point. “Blue Velvet” opens with images of an idyllic small town (though Lumberton is real, filming took place in Wilmington, NC). There’s an old timey feel that captures the quaintness of the south and the deep secrets of suburbia. Viewers will see the foundation for “Mulholland Drive” take shape here.

Good Characters

Kyle MacLachlan is an interesting choice for the lead. He’s a subdued man who slides into the role of Jeffrey Beaumont with ease. Jeffrey is a regular and mild-mannered person who lands in an extraordinary circumstance. MacLachlan made his film debut in “Dune” and would go on to star in “Twin Peaks” both products of David Lynch. Its interesting to see Laura Dern as a teenager; 7 years before her breakout role in “Jurassic Park.” Dern plays a fine compliment to MacLachlan and the best scenes in the movie are the pair of them sneaking around together.

Jeffrey and Sandy are led to the seedy apartment of Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) a lounge singer who is hiding something. Dorothy is under the control of Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper), a violent criminal who abuses Dorothy physically and sexually.

Dennis Hopper is great at playing ruthless bad guys and does so again in this role. Frank Booth is ruthless and intimidating, despite occasional huffing into an air mask he carries with him. His split personality disorder includes memorable tirades quickly arrested by tranquility.

Cons

“Blue Velvet” is 116 minutes long which is fine. But the pacing was so slow I was quickly bored.

David Lynch includes his style of strangeness which I enjoy. There’s an uncanny feeling to the characters, big and small, that accompanies the viewer as the story progresses. There’s an intangible fear looming as Jeffrey and Sandy unravel the mystery. But it wasn’t enough to keep me invested. And the explicit sexual content was too much. Scenes depicting rape and torture were out of place and added nothing to the mystery. The first encounter between Jeffrey and Dorothy was downright absurd and went on way too long.

I like tackling David Lynch movies. While I’m glad to have watched “Blue Velvet” it won’t be taking any positives from me. Its a slow dull story with an abundance of graphic imagery that isn’t enjoyable in any way. I guess 3 out of 5 ain’t bad.

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