Blue Velvet
Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Laura Dern, Dennis Hopper
Writer and Director: David Lynch
I was lucky enough to get to see this in theaters a few weeks ago for it’s 30th anniversary. It’s the kind of movie that would have shocked people more than Psycho if it was released in the late 60’s. I’m sure the tale of Norman Bates would have still freaked out people too. But this one is just slightly more disturbing. Even though it’s setting is modern, well modern as the mid 80’s can be. Blue Velvet has the look and feel of a late 50’s mystery drama. Even some of the characters behaver and act like the ones in movies of that era. It’s setting is this idealistic small town and the dangers that lurk underneath. Even if you have never been there before, you know about towns like this. It’s kind of hard to describe what an experience it was watching this in just words. So instead I’m going to share with you a few images combined with famous quotes from the movie. There may be some minor spoilers so I’m giving you all a fair warning now.
The opening credits with Angelo Badalamenti’s score is one of the best movie themes ever.
Radio announcer: –“It’s a sunny, woodsy day in Lumberton, so get those chainsaws out. This is the mighty W.O.O.D., the musical voice of Lumberton. At the sound of the falling tree, it’s 9:30. There’s a whole lotta wood waitin’ out there, so let’s get going“.
Detective Williams: “That’s a human ear all right.”
Jeffrey:(Kyle MachLachlan) –“Do you see that house? I used to know a kid who lived there, he had the biggest tongue in the world.”
Dorothy Vallens(Isabella Rosselini) – [singing] “And I still can see Blue Velvet through my tears.”
Jeffery Beaumont- “See that clock on the wall? In five minutes you are not going to believe what I’ve told you.”
Dorothy Vallens: “What are you doing in my closet, Jeffrey Beaumont?”
Dorothy: –“Hello, baby.”
Frank:-“Shut up! It’s Daddy, you shithead! Where’s my bourbon? Can’t you fucking remember anything?”
Frank Booth: -“Baby wants to fuck! Baby wants to fuck Blue Velvet!”
Frank Booth: “Don’t you fucking look at me!”
Dorothy: – “Do you like the way I feel”
Frank: –“Hey you wanna go for a ride?”
Jeffrey: –“No thanks.”
Frank: – “No thanks? What does that mean?”
Jeffrey:- “I don’t wanna go.”
Frank:- “Go where?”
Jeffrey:- “For a ride.”
Frank- “ A ride! Now that’s a good idea!”
Ben(Dean Stockwell): “To your health.”
Frank:- “Ah, shit, let’s drink to something else. Let’s drink to fucking. Yeah, say, “Here’s to your fuck, Frank.”
Ben:- “If you like, Frank. Here’s to your fuck.”
Frank Booth: “Don’t be a good neighbor to her. I’ll send you a love letter,[shouting] straight from my heart, fucker! You know what a love letter is? It’s a bullet from a fucking gun, fucker! You receive a love letter from me, you’re fucked forever! You understand, fuck? I’ll send you straight to hell, fucker!”
Seeing Frank beat the living hell out of Jeffery seemed like a good time for this girl to dance.
Jeffery Beaumont “It’s a strange world”
Dorothy Vallens “He put his disease in me.”
Jeffrey Beaumont: “Why are there people like Frank?”
Sandy Williams – “I had a dream. In fact, it was on the night I met you. In the dream, there was our world, and the world was dark because there weren’t any robins and the robins represented love. And for the longest time, there was this darkness. And all of a sudden, thousands of robins were set free and they flew down and brought this blinding light of love. And it seemed that love would make any difference, and it did. So, I guess it means that there is trouble until the robins come.”
Watching this in theaters was astounding because of the way it looks. Lynch along with cinematographer Frederick Elmes make really good use of the 2:35 widescreen aspect ratio. They can have entire scenes play out in just one shot and it is beautiful to see on a big screen. If you are not a fan of David Lynch because you think his films don’t make sense. This is one I urge you to check out, because while it does have it’s share of style in it. It never gets in the way of the story. Many have claimed this to be a masterpiece and it garnered an academy award nomination from David Lynch as best director. It’s the kind of twisted tale that would fit in the same universe as his television series Twin Peaks did.
Original 1986 Theatrical Trailer.
Review by Siskel & Ebert
Critic’s Pick by New York Times
Episode 82 of Popcorn Poops where Dustin and Jessica debate if this really is a masterpiece.
http://www.popcornpoops.com/2016/05/PP082.html
Lana Del Ray ‘s video for her cover of Blue Velvet
Awesome post Verny, love how you set it out and your enthusiasm is infectious!
Thank you Emmy and thanks for all the shares and likes. You are really nice to do that
Not at all Verny! I’m always more than delighted to share your awesome posts – and you’re one of the most supportive blogger and friend to everyone, so you deserve it!! 🙂
A classic for sure, Vern. This is still one of Lynch’s very best and it’s in desperate need of a revisit from me.
Thanks for reading Mark. I see it is playing on demand where I live I kind of want the housemates to see it.
It’s one I’ve been meaning to go back to for years. At one point, it was in my personal top ten movies. On a revisit, who’s to say that it can’t make it back there? It’s magnificent. 🙂
Gosh, it has been too long since I saw this movie. Your review was stellar Vern, and so well illustrated.
Its one I like to watch every few years. Dennis Hopper is so good in this role. Thanks for reading
You have me wanting to dig it out of my collection.
Ahhh, all the stills are giving me flashbacks! It’s been awhile since I saw Blue Velvet, but leave it to Lynch to make something so strange, creepy, and beautiful. Don’t get me started on Lana’s music video – can she do no wrong? Love her!
I have only heard a few tracks from Lana but I do like her sultry voice. Thanks for reading
I fucking love this movie. It is one of my all-time favorite films and I just love how it was used in The Squid & the Whale. “I love you! Love me!!!! He put his disease in me”
Now I want to see Squid and The Whale now if it mentions this movie. Thank you for recommending it
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