David Lynch’s ‘Blue Velvet’ Surges in Popularity After Director’s Passing!

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1986’s “Blue Velvet”, the neo-noir thriller directed by David Lynch, has been gaining popularity on streaming services since the passing of its renowned creator. The film features Isabella Rossellini and Kyle MacLachlan, with additional stars such as Laura Dern, Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, Hope Lange, Frances Bay, Brad Dourif, and Jack Nance. On Max, “Blue Velvet” has climbed the charts of most-watched movies. This iconic thriller tells the story of Jeffrey Beaumont, who unwittingly gets entangled in a criminal plot that involves a nightclub singer named Dorothy and a ruthless gangster called Frank Booth, both portrayed by Rossellini and MacLachlan respectively.

The synopsis reads as follows:

In simpler terms, the finding of a detached human ear in a field initiates a young man’s quest to unravel a mystery surrounding a captivating, enigmatic nightclub performer. This woman has been abducted by a dangerous gang of criminals who are also holding her child captive.

In the heart of the 1980s, coinciding with films like Top Gun, Platoon, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Blue Velvet was a film that felt distinctly uncomfortable for traditional Hollywood. However, it was generally praised (with a few exceptions like Roger Ebert), earning widespread acclaim. In this movie, David Lynch exposed the grim underbelly of America, vividly portraying morally questionable characters that ranged from slightly odd to an unsettling depiction of pure human wickedness.

At the Oscars, Lynch received a nomination for Best Director, while at the Golden Globes, he got recognition in two categories: Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Hopper). In that year, “Blue Velvet” triumphed at the National Society of Film Critics Awards. Now, it remains just as significant as it used to be, particularly following a stunning 4K release from The Criterion Collection. However, the renewed interest on streaming platforms is probably due to Lynch’s recent passing a few days ago.

78-year-old Lynch, who had been diagnosed with emphysema a couple of years prior, was forced to leave his Los Angeles residence due to the aftermath of the wildfire. Unfortunately, days later, he passed away as a result of health issues stemming from the smoke in his neighborhood. If he were still alive today, it would be his 79th birthday, on January 20, 2025.

One of David Lynch’s Attempts at Being Conventional

Lynch’s movies are rarely traditional, with exceptions being “The Straight Story” and “The Elephant Man.” Among the rest, “Blue Velvet” comes closest to having a typical film structure. However, let it be clear: while “Blue Velvet” might be one of Lynch’s more conventional films, it doesn’t make it any less intense or challenging.

This movie is intensely unsettling to watch. It’s not so much due to graphic content, but rather because David Lynch masterfully blends the apparent reality with the hidden depths of darkness he delves into (such as consciousness and subconsciousness). As the story unfolds, it becomes challenging to feel secure as the character Beaumont is drawn into a chilling portrayal of hellish reality. The sexual and emotional brutality are striking, yet Lynch manages to create a terrifying atmosphere in Lumberton, North Carolina without relying on graphic violence or jump scares. In essence, it’s a place that could pass as your typical peaceful neighborhood, where unspeakable horrors lurk unseen. You can stream Blue Velvet on the Criterion Channel and Max via the link provided below:

Watch Blue Velvet

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2025-01-20 02:33