Blue Velvet - Movie Review

In the peace and calm of Lumberton, a college students, Jeffrey Beaumont stumbles upon a field where he found a severed ear. This leads him into the eerie – the strange symbology of the angel, the nightclub singer, Dorothy Vallens and the psychopathic criminal, Frank Booth. And now as Jeffrey gets involved in this sordid world, he tries to balance on the thin line between his developing affection for Sandy, the daughter of the detective who engages him to catch the bad guys, and his obsession with Dorothy’s vices.

Certain aspects that triggered more discussion in the viewing include voyeurism, sexual perversion, and the hidden reality of a perfect American small town. The film’s tone oscillates between the obscene and sexual; it is never transparent, an identifying feature of director David Lynch. Neo-noir as the genre of the film gives a great contribution to the noir planners that build the overall sinister yet intriguing aspect of the film which includes the struggle between innocence and corruption, curiosity and fear, and the beautiful outside which covers the dark inside.

The actors in ‘Blue Velvet are exceptionally perfect. Kyle MacLachlan does a very good job portraying Jeffrey’s innocent fascination turning to disturbing obsession and Isabella Rossellini conveys Dorothy’s tragic fragility. Frank Booth played by Dennis Hopper is a completely deranged character, and conveying villainy in every possible way, with his aggressive behavior. Laura Dern does an excellent job portraying the character of Sandy, with wide-eyed, naivety juxtaposed against the film’s grittiness.

The movie is directed by David Lynch yet again, and his direction is superb, creating a movie that is disturbing yet masterful. Because of this, he creates an atmosphere of surrealism that pervades the entire movie of the ‘Blue Velvet’. Lynch has perfectly fit the details into creating an eerie and intriguing atmosphere of making the ordinary appear eerie. His willingness to go out of his way is questionable, however, it makes the viewers really get in the world of a freak which is presented by ‘Blue Velvet’. The use of music is also essential in establishing the ambiance of the movie with Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Velvet’ serving as the leitmotif of the movie which is an embodiment of sweetness with a dark core.

Blue Velvet by David Lynch is a film that captures the viewer’s eye with bright and beautiful hues; however, there is a darkness, a gloom lurking beneath the surface of this small American town. Cinematographer Frederick Elmes turns both Lumberton into the picturesque and dreamlike reminiscent of a small America town and the darkness which lies in the townspeople. His choice of light creates a sinister atmosphere supporting both the film’s aesthetically pleasing yet simultaneously rather ominous ambiance.

Specifically, the exterior and interior surroundings depicted in the movie are gorgeous, and yet squalid corresponding to the atmosphere of the discovered America and the world viewed by Jeffrey. The aspect of cinematography is seen well in the set designs that give a nostalgic yet nightmarish feel to the whole environment which makes the film eerie. Every place is designed explicitly to add to the general feeling of duality and ambiguity. Leitmotive don’t leave the viewers lost in enigmatic key-plot relying on suggestion rather than expressing the very notions of dread and fascination with apparent trick effects.

The editing work of the film is very clear and calculated in such a way so as to sustain the curiosity of viewers in relation to the further progression of the movie. Editor Duwayne Dunham successfully creates the balance between tension and relaxation with the reminders of the increased and almost uncontrollable disarray under the veneer. The editing itself sorts of aligns with Lynch’s peculiar way of narrating the story adding better psychological layer and suspense.

The ‘Blue Velvet’ is relatively slow-paced and very deliberate in how it goes about revealing the plot. Arenas of the constitution of every scene leave enough suspense gaps while the viewers are offered hints of what it takes to go further. This gradual play of the discovery increases the shock and awe elements of the film enfolding the audiences into the mystery. Words uttered during the communication range from simple and mundane to insane, which fits perfectly into the overall concept of the film that denies the notion of a shallow exemplary family underneath which analyzer lies severe madness. The dialogue employs a darker Lynchian tone which thickens the story and increases the innate character growth.

As for the artistic direction ‘Blue Velvet’ can be shocking and indeed controversial in its themes as a cult film. Because of its themes of violence and abberant sexuality the movie may not communicate its artistic value to everyone, blocking the view. Yet for those willing to enter into its gritty yin to the warm sunny yang, the movie is a profound exploration of human evil and the crevices of Eden like places that might hide it.

The movie watching does not end with the end credits; the impact of the film ‘Blue Velvet’ is very profound. It is a work that provokes a feeling of awakening and encourages a rethink of the intricacies of ordinary environments. This is the art of cinema and none has done it quite like the director David Lynch who, with his trademarks style , wakes you up and freaks you out all at once. This movie is technically the beauty of contrasting light and shade is simply captivating while at the same time disturbing, and this is what makes Lynch a master storyteller.