Kermode Uncut: Blue Velvet

[@cmonpelican]

I saw Blue Velvet when it hit the theaters. After seeing it for the first time, I saw it again six more times in different theaters, even a midnight showing, till it was finally pulled out of circulation. Every weekend was about going to see Blue Velvet. Couldn't get enough. Truly a masterpiece. Always thought so since the first time I saw it.

[@ArtwithBen]

I feel the same way about Grown Ups 2.

[@davidking4838]

My regret is that I DID NOT walk out of that movie. True, I was there with my 7-year-old daughter, but I could have waited for her outside the theatre.

[@jamesbastion7258]

Theres a great story about Henry Rollins and Blue Velvet, right after it came out he saw Dennis Hopper at an art gallery and chased after him screaming Hopper's lines from the movie, until Hopper ran to his car and bolted off.

[@MuadDib1402]

Rollins is crazy too! :D

[@jamesbastion7258]

Yeah and what amazes me is he never drank or did drugs, so he really just was a maniac.

[@gordonm7038]

James Bastion Henry Rollins is forgotten.

[@katharineofarrogant7805]

I happened to spot Henry playing with his band at Manchester University in the early 90s. Only about 50 people there. Afterwards he walked over to me, handed me some drumsticks and kissed me on the cheek. What a gent!

[@sillyone52062]

I bought this movie for my mother as a gift. She was horrified by it, and gave it back to me.

[@bangkokbatman]

She probably thought it was Bobby Vinton's Greatest Hits !

[@Professicchio]

Blue Velvet basically 'popped your movie cherry', we can relate to that, mine was Taxi Driver.

[@PirateZ1]

The end scene with the bird and Laura Durn is one of my favorite movie endings ever. How is David Lynch able to pull of such a seemingly cheese scene after such a dark and disturbing movie

[@PirateZ1]

Karl Karlos Id forgotten about that ;)

[@allcoolmrdon]

Also how obviously fake the bird is which imo is lynch telling us that the dark side to Jeffrey may just be repressed back under the surface and not fully overcome

[@davidking4838]

It harkens back to Sandy's dream, and the idea that goodness can be restored if enough of the good people are willing to fight for it. The Robin represents goodness, the beetle represents evil/rot/decay.

[@ErikPT]

The film was tame and I hated the ending

[@Owen-wc1wr]

Strangely I can hardly remember anything about the film. It takes on these dream-like quality in my memory. I can only properly remember a couple of scenes from it, the rest is just a general impression of being disturbed and mesmerised. I must watch it again.

[@ConnerNielsen6]

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is a brilliant film and maybe the most underrated of Lynch's filmography.

[@AngelEarth2011]

Dean Stockwell (Ben) lip-sinking to In Dreams by Roy Orbison is also one of those perfect moments in the film when you're terrified, yet laughing at the same time: a perfect compliment to Dennis Hopper's conflicted feelings of lust, rage, and tragedy that collide in his response to the performance. An amazing film, with amazing performances.

[@ThatJoeGClift]

that infamous scene at the 45 minute mark in Irreversible had the same effect on me. It angered me and disgusted me like no other film ever has, and that's the reason it's one of my favourite films, because it was powerful enough to provoke a response that made me forget I was watching a film

[@ThatJoeGClift]

***** it's a work of genius. The concept in an of itself of taking a rape revenge piece and making it a revenge rape piece to force an audience to really analyse the situation with more objectivity is brilliant, but the fact that it all looks at once so beautiful and so brutal...I mean yeah. I'm going to stop myself. I could go on for ages about why it's one of the best films ever made lol

[@ThatJoeGClift]

***** yes Noe largely falls in with guys like Von Trier or Harmony Korine for me. Their works always feels disingenuous, like it's being provocative solely to be provocative which is unfortunate because as you say he's a technically brilliant filmmaker. My interpretation of Irreversible probably gives Noe far too much credit (ie inverting the rape revenge narrative to force the audience to analyse the usual catharsis one gets at the end of something like I Spit on Your Grave), that said I Stand Alone which he'd done on the build up to Irreversible did feel - cheap plot twist aside - to be a good commentary on the death of the French working class. And yes, the use of low frequency sound is brilliant.

[@34672rr]

That scene sucked. Just mindless gratuitous violence. And I love violence in films, even rape like in Clockwork Orange, which was highly stylized and entertaining. Irreversible was simply torture porn, with zero artistic value, at least that scene.

[@raindog951]

It was one of the few films that affected me on a visceral level. Thrilling, scary, and dread inspiring.

[@CashelOConnolly]

I so love Blue Velvet, if I could I choose just one film it’d be this one❤️

[@atoms-to-atoms]

strange that you needed a retake but well done for your honesty and immaturity.. I saw it when I was 24 yrs old and have loved it since!

[@KarlMB64]

I too watched this when it was released. Afterwards, I felt like I had been beaten and hung out to dry, never had I experienced so many different emotions in such a short space of time nor have I since! Hopper took his character to another level, truly disturbing but brilliant. I have watched this many times since always the same roller coaster ride. My surname is Booth, my youngest son is Frank, my wife and son have not seen Blue Velvet, part of me thinks they never should!

[@riazaamer]

Frank Booth is the most terrifying character of all time. Also, the "In Dreams" sequence is so bizarre that only a genius would choose to go ahead with it. This same material in the hands of any other director would be ordinary, but David Lynch does not think like an ordinary person.

[@aresgalamatis7022]

Thanks for the insight, I had similar relationships with certain films that challenged at the time my perception, and after watching them the first time, I could not stop thinking about them. But at the same time, it is extremely difficult to rewatch them, unless with friends, so I can distance myself from the original experience.

[@hvitekristesdod]

One of the best films out there... Hopper’s Frank Booth is so broken and human and MacLachlane’s Jeffrey is such a lost boy trying to be a man with no moral compass, with no identity and no real emotions until he discovers the dark side within himself... who is the hero and who is the villain? What are good and evil? This film is a great symphony of truth...

[@Alpine_Joe]

Can't wait to see this on the big screen. To paraphrase Brian Clough, I wouldn't say this is my favourite film but it's definitely in my top one.

[@Redroomantics]

Mulholland Drive was my first David Lynch movie, went in blind and had no idea what to expect. I was shocked, scared, absolutely horrified but at the same time I fell in love with the film and David's work. Recently finished Twin Peaks, Wild at Heart, Inland Empire and now Blue Velvet and moving onto Lost Highway next.

[@tehpickle1250]

Looking at these comments makes it quite abundantly clear: When it comes to David Lynch, nobody sits in the middle-ground. I guess that's a real testament to his film making, at the very least.

[@grayforester]

I feel very much in middle ground. I'm fascinated by his images, his premises, and love reading about his films. But the only Lynch movies I didn't find too nauseating to endure were The Straight Story and The Elephant Man. I might make it to the end of Mulholland Drive but I started it months ago.

[@GordonjSmith1]

Lordy I share your reaction! At the same time (about) as Blue Velvet, I went to the cinema in Camden to see 'The Garden'. I saw both of them 'through', and my then girlfriend suggested that I had 'out pseuded' (her spelling) everyone else (in the case of 'the Garden' I was the last one left in the cinema). But actually at the time I hated them both. But I find myself 'craving' movies that demand 'more' of me, those that demand attention, and in particular, those that irritate me because I haven't quite (and this is perhaps pertinent) 'exactly' joined the dots. The are 'complete' movies such as 'The Others' that suspend you to the end of the last reel, but do provide 'completion', but then there are others that are so wonderful that they leave you utterly dissatisfied and craving for 'more', more explanation, more 'completion, more 'answers'.

[@Leo-wz4nh]

I loved Blue Velvet since the first time I saw it, in my 20s. But I had Mark's type of experience after I saw All that Jazz first time.

[@steveganz7418]

One of my favourite films of all time.

[@MLElf]

Mark, you're the best!! Simple as!! My Hats off to you

[@notabot835]

Mark, I had the same experience. Turned it off the first time, loved it the second time.

[@androshi2558]

Gonna go watch it this weekend.

[@androshi2558]

After watching Mulholland Drive I had this realization that these films are just suppose to be experienced, and not given some kind of attributes or generalizations or definite meaning. I think Lynch speaks to us about life itself, this weird experience. It doesn't have a real meaning, but we always try to make, fabricate a meaning and then never really observe what it really is. Well watching that film couple of weeks ago in an theater, with a grainy projected film on the screen gave me that feeling. Eager to see Blue Velvet.

[@timk6181]

Androshi I think MD is best experienced like that the first time...just soak it all in as an experience, but subsequent viewings have left me in no doubt that there is a definite plot and meaning, and the real beauty of it is how the fractured nature of the storytelling compliments its themes. It really is a film with hidden depths.

[@androshi2558]

Yea probably you are right. Will be interesting to see how it is the second time watching it. Especially if you watch it at home, you get to see things a little more clearly. Cinema going experience doesn't get in the way.

[@samwoodson9603]

I really wish Blue Velvet had been the first David Lynch film I watched. I find it to be one of my favorite films of his, but because I had grown pretty familiar with Lynch when I saw it the first time, it didn't give me such an intense reaction as it tends to do for others. If anybody is looking to get into Lynch, I definitely think this should be the first film they see of his.

[@jakeharriman2326]

This is such a fascinating movie and I can understand where your comment about it is coming from.

[@fraser_mr2009]

this movie had some amazing music

[@exittiming2789]

A masterwork of cinema and still without peer.

[@hvitekristesdod]

I love that your review is kind of a coming of age story, a bit like the film actually. I love how subtly screwed up Jeffrey's character is and how subtly soft-hearted Frank is, and the way the characters juxtapose when you really look at both of them closely

[@EYEBALLband]

Brilliant.

[@thatguy20861]

This is a similar reaction I had to "The Piano." I have now seen that film more than any other movie I initially did not like; however, there was something that "got under my skin." While I cannot say I love (or even really like) the film, I admire it immensely, but it's frustrating...and I genuinely do not know why. I saw it first at an (probably) inappropriately young age, then as an older teenager, then as a grad student, and several times more (most recently this year when I decided to purchase the Criterion Bluray). I know I am watching a film great originality, grace, and substance; yet, I cannot embrace it like I should and have of so many other films. Perhaps, I'm not good enough for it....yet. But, then, how long does one wait for someone to be good enough to enjoy an individual film?

[@pardeepparkash398]

Frank scared the absolute beejezuss out of me as A 17 year old , still sends the shivers down me - he is one unhinged frightening ,disturbing character , probably THE greatest depiction of evil in film history , and ONLY Dennis Hopper was the actor to have played him; genius casting.

[@KarlMB64]

I too, being the same age as Mark, was confused and disturbed when I first encountered Blue Velvet but have grown to appreciate it in many ways, over the years. I can't really add much that hasn't already been said before, apart from.... 20 years ago I named my youngest Frank, not sure what this says about me, not sure I want to know, but our surname happens to be Booth!

[@markh7523]

To analyse a Lynch film is madness and self indulgent . He is like an abstract artist - just adore the images and sound track - go for the ride, and what a ride he gives us.

[@ST74UK]

The word 'genius' gets thrown around a lot it's fair to say. When it comes to David Lynch, that term is justly deserved.

[@davidking4838]

Lynch is the Kafka of Film and his films are much like literature. They can be debated, thought about and re-assessed numerous times and they gain stature as the years go by.

[@foxybingo1112]

It's the kind of film that gets better the more you think about it.

[@cirquedude123]

I had s similar reaction... now it’s one of my favorites.

[@MightyQuinn2021]

I hated Fire Walk With Me first time, now I love it. same for Lost Highway - Lynch id the only director that does that for me

[@waffleweave]

MightyQuinn2021 Agreed! His films require multiple viewings and a long time to digest.

[@jackdavide5742]

Yes...makes sense to place Blue Velvet next to Twin Peaks....BV is Freudian brain food, whereas TW is the raw emotional (empathy) polar opposite.

[@bubo1]

You can flipping well say that again!

[@bangkokbatman]

Did Isabella Rossellini sing any other songs besides Blue Velvet ?

[@robyortichella7412]

bangkokbatman we do hoping don't 😆

[@lukeormond9912]

I’m 15 years old I watched this recently and I thought it was a masterpiece but I never felt that disturbed throughout, am I a psychopath?

[@AntonQvarfordt]

I feel like any movie that genuinely evokes a big reaction is good even if it's something that's uncomfortable or offensive to you. Because it makes you think about it. It's not a fool-proof measure of judgement but generally I feel that to be the case.. The bad films are the ones that fails to evoke any emotion good or bad.

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

I loved Blue Velvet from the moment I seen it and like Kyle mc Lacklan's character I also fell in love with Isabela. My favourite David Lynch film was Dune. I read all the Dune books, so I know the story and characters, lynch's adaptation was superb. I never understood why so many hated and still hate that film. Give that film another look.

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

Yes I've seen it umteen times and what he succeeded in doing was capturing the atmosphere of the books and engage with Frank Herbert's planet Dune. It also told the great story that is dune brilliantly.

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

Yes look and feel more real, a subject Mark should do a blog on. Another comparison for effects (only) look at the recent Ghostbusters and compare the effects to the 80s classic. The 80s one beat them in everyway. Haven't seen the new Potter. perhaps this weekend. Nice chatting it's late here, goodnight

[@Onmysheet]

It's a wonderful film, but I wouldn't say it's Lynch's best film. Mullholland Drive is.

[@Onmysheet]

***** It's best if you just watch the film, in case I give away spoilers.

[@Onmysheet]

***** It's about a failed actress's fantasy of making it big in the movie business, but her real world eventually catches up with her. It seemed pretty self explanatory.

[@ST74UK]

The correct answer

[@nayanjnath3875]

@@Onmysheet Naah Blue Velvet is better

[@euansmith3699]

What a cast! :O Harry Dean Stanton, "Yap yap!"

[@specialsnowfake6744]

It's a good one yeah. I accidentally watched it as a kid about 10 as it was on a VHS tape. The world was too adult for me so I turned it off as it freaked me out.

[@username4570]

Recently watched it for the first time. Not really sure how I feel about it, I did have a difficult time staying awake though, perhaps the dreamy quality was too strong and suggestive. As far as Lynch's catalogue is concerned I would definitely rank it closer to the bottom, Eraserhead takes the cake in my heart.

[@jktomas]

30 years later Kermode will be making the re-reviews of the Transformers films and he will still be just as angry at Michael Bay. Nah, I'm just kidding. By that time no one will know who Michael Bay is, so Mark won't re-review those movies.

[@cymrogogogoch931]

The day Kermode says Pain and Gain is the seminal work of a great auteur, it's time to take away his shoelaces.

[@hoganholo99]

jktomas What if he's remembered in the same vein as someone like Ed Wood?

[@Dainius8888]

I had a similar experience with David Cronenberg's 'Maps to the Stars.' It made me hate most of the characters, their lifestyles, the theme, a lot of things...Only to realise afterwords how close it got to me and how much that meant to me. I love that film now.

[@_Azagoth_]

Brad Douriff is criminally underused in this film.

[@travisbest9041]

Beautiful and sick.

[@BenGoodsonModular]

Here is a fun game. Listen to Mark talk about Blue Velvet but every time he says "Blue Velvet" substitute the words "Dirty Grandpa"

[@eddiecampion2410]

the atmosphere that david lynch created in this movie was what creeped mark kermode out.

[@ErikPT]

I didn’t get this movie it was an enigma on man’s darkness, I see why it’s controversial but the mystery was awesome! I experienced a piss poor performance by Frank however, I was stunned by Ben’s character who needed a stronger role.

[@GeorgeBenedict]

Felt the same way about Man of Steel

[@airsir9559]

It's a misunderstood piece of art. A lot more ambitious than most of the other bland and forgettable comic book films that seems to have become all to common nowadays. Also, unfair criticism like that is why those uninspired and unoriginal films are so common in the first place.

[@johnsmusicpassions9740]

Amazing acknowledgement but that is what movies can do for you I can watch Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf and Apocalypse now time and time again and get something knew every time

[@KevTheImpaler]

It didn't have that effect on me. It's nightmarish like all his films, but I found Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead more disturbing and more unpleasant.

[@davidmouser596]

You have film lists of most loved & most hated, what about a list of films you both love & hate?

[@jonathanwarner1844]

David Lynch is a really odd director. I never liked "Blue Velvet," - it just feels, by turns, dull, manipulative, and wooden - I couldn't get into Lost Highway at all, and Eraserhead sends me to sleep, but Mulholland Drive, Fire Walk With Me, and The Straight Story, I love, and regard as masterpieces. The last two, Fire Walk With Me, and The Straight Story, I regard as profoundly humanistic. I feel the same way about Stanley Kubrick - I find myself either hating or loving his films - there is no in between.

[@_Azagoth_]

Eh, I'm moderate on the film, I much prefer Eraserhead. I understand exactly what Lynch is going for and since he succeeds in it so well i cant say the movie is bad. but the tonal inconsistency bothers me and takes me out of the film, particularly the ending, and particularly the blank slate that is laura derns character. i simply just didnt find the film very investing, it was very atmospheric, well made, and achieved exactly what it set out to, it just didnt connect with me. there are many moments of brilliance, but to me they dont add up to something more. it didnt leave me feeling much love or hate or any kind of strong emotion towards it, it just left me feeling kind of just meh. also i wish Brad Douriff was in it more.

[@65g4]

I love the film but it does make me uneasy watching it. Especially Dennis Hoppers performance it was terrifying

[@oooSKYLIGHTooo]

Eraserhead did the same for me.

[@ST74UK]

"Eraserhead" is one of the only films where I can't really decide if I liked it or not, but I absolutely no for a fact that it still to this day left an impression on me like hardly any other film or director has before or since. The fact I saw it when I had the flu on Channel 4 when I was 14 is a moot point. Point is, Lynch is a bona fide legit genius.

[@SolariaMaterian]

Imagine if he had reviewed Eraserhead

[@RD-lt3ht]

A beautiful nightmare.

[@jamespavitt3814]

I was in the cinema, Cornerhouse in Manchester, when Mark first saw this film and I remember him and his girlfriend at the time walking out of the cinema after only a few minutes. Very honest of him to own up to his own shortcomings and one of the things that makes him a really good critic.

[@dalhar20]

surreal noir

[@PauLtus_B]

The one way a movie can only be bad, is by being boring. And even that is debatable.

[@TheGoldenChile]

i love many things about this movie but the worst element is McLaughlan's character. He manipulates almost everyone and his morality is all over the place. Which is not a problem, but lynch films it like the film believes in the manipulation. the whole "why is there bad pplz in deez whirld!" stuff is really cringey and unconvincing. not sure if Lynch intended it that way. i think he was miscast just like he was miscast in Dune, far too old to play a naive young man. same goes for the cheesey birds. reminded me of tim burton.

[@mred2071]

I have always loved Blue Velvet and will always hate Fire walk with me

[@PlazaMoon]

Appology accepted. But only just.

[@alexrodriguez9441]

I think that "Southland Tales" is a cringeworthy campy mess, and I enjoy the movie enormously. The campiest, stupidest, most illogical and self-indulgent scenes in the movie are also it's most enjoyable scenes.

[@SimarilRL]

Maybe in a few years I'll think the same about Holly Motors, but right now, by god, I hated that movie.

[@bazzoman510]

I watched it the other day.I hadn't seen it in years,and to be honest i wasn't to impressed.It hasn't aged very well.Three or four great scenes stick out in a bit of a mess of a movie.Hopper and rossellini give outstanding performances,but ultimately the movie lacks heart.It doesn't really have anything to say,that would surprise anyone,especially in todays climate.There is some seriously dodgy writing going on here too.Some silly coincidences and bad dialogue also mark it down for me.Its by no means a bad movie but Lynch,i feel,has made better.

[@ArtwithBen]

Disagree.

[@MacStoker]

i just watched bill and ted 3, aka "lesbians hunt for the 4 tops tops and do a coka cola song" i had to come to this to cleanse myself and feel normal.

[@cymrogogogoch931]

Saw half of it on TV at 2am drunk when I was 18 because I heard it was about sex. Gave up frustrated at a lack of boobage. So yeah, I didn't like it. Not sure if this review helps anyone but at least my opinion remains consistent. Watched Fire Walk With Me as a turgid, pretentious & repressed old man and really liked it.

[@purpleflorencesunsetssunse9519]

Words cannot express the depths of my loathing for this film. I've detested nearly everything Lynch has put out.

[@IdoruFalls]

then why did you bother with any words in the first place?

[@DrewJPS]

1/4. I don't get the hype. Ebert was right with 1/4.

[@lewiscranston881]

God.. How can you not love it?

[@killthomas8373]

Should have stuck with your first opinion Mark, Blue Velvet is trash. I don't care how important it may be in the lexicon of cinema that still doesn't make it good

[@stevencampbell2018]

It's one of the greatest films ever made.

[@purpleflorencesunsetssunse9519]

I agree: The Emperor's New Clothes of cinema.

[@IdoruFalls]

UM WELL I GUESS THAT'S JUST YOUR OPINION

[@DorianCairne]

"I don't care how important it may be in the lexicon of cinema" And that just says everything anyone needs to know.

[@MsAbixxx]

Ah David Hopper. One of my favourite crazy guys who love playing over acting villains. 😛

[@ddtk85]

Who is David Hoper? Did you mean David Hopper?

[@MsAbixxx]

Karl Karlos My bad. I meant Dennis Hopper :P