Chappell Roan’s Perfect Movie Night Watchlist

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  • ‘Mulholland Drive’ Is a David Lynch Classic
  • ‘Mean Girls’ Is a Timeless Comedy Hit
  • ‘Pink Flamingos’ Developed a Cult Following

Chappell Roan was indisputably one of the most prominent artists in 2024, with her fame escalating at such an extraordinary pace that a Chartmetric graph displaying her monthly Spotify listeners became viral due to its remarkable surge over the course of a single summer. Her Grammy nominations and win served merely to reinforce what fans had already suspected – ‘The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess’ was an exceptionally unique album.

For individuals who might have been in a winter slumber during the past year, Chappell Roan is an all-around self-governing artist originally from Missouri. Born as Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, “Chappell” is a persona she nurtured over time. The name has personal significance; “Chappell” is derived from her grandfather’s surname, while “Roan” is taken from the title of his beloved song, “The Strawberry Roan.

As an appreciator, I’d like to point out that her style is heavily influenced by drag queens, which she proudly embraces as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Her fashion choices and lyrics often draw inspiration from queer cinema, thereby creating a harmonious connection between the individual and the image she presents. Here are three campy classics that Chappell has referenced, making for an entertaining movie night with a seamless flow.

‘Mulholland Drive’ Is a David Lynch Classic

In 2001, renowned director David Lynch presented “Mulholland Drive,” a stylish, surrealistic mystery film. It revolves around a determined Midwestern woman named Betty, who arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of acting. She temporarily resides at her aunt’s house until an amnesiac woman called Rita arrives, having been rescued from a car accident. Together, they embark on a quest to discover Rita’s identity.

In the intriguing narrative of Mulholland Drive, separate storylines gradually intertwine. For instance, a storyline involving a mobster who pressures Director Adam Kesher to cast an obscure actress named Camilla Rhodes, and another about two women’s unusual journey to witness a performance at Club Silencio. The scene referenced in Chappell’s song “Naked in Manhattan” revolves around the budding romance between Betty and Rita, as Betty queries Rita, “Have you ever experienced something like this before?” To which Rita responds, “I’m unsure. Have you?

“Oh I’ve never done it, let’s make it cinematic.

Like the one sex scene that’s in Mulholland Drive, I wanna know baby, what is it like?”

— Chappell Roan, Naked in Manhattan

Mulholland Drive – A Movie Worth Re-watching

Watching Mulholland Drive once simply won’t suffice, as its enigmatic ending sheds new light on the entire narrative. An intriguing fact associated with this film is that Laura Harring, who portrays Rita in the movie, was on her way to an audition when she got into a car accident – an uncanny parallel to her character’s fate. Remarkably, David Lynch had already contacted Harring for a meeting before the accident occurred, which left her somewhat preoccupied during her drive. Nevertheless, Harring found solace in viewing the incident as “synchronistic” and a “perfect introduction to the David Lynch universe.”

You can catch Mulholland Drive on Prime Video and Apple TV for rent.

‘Mean Girls’ Is a Timeless Comedy Hit

In the same tune titled “Naked in Manhattan,” Chappell subtly links to the iconic comedy “Mean Girls.” This connection might appear unexpected considering the time when Chappell was creating this song, which predates the full-fledged musical adaptation of “Mean Girls” that we now know. However, in the original movie, there was already a plot point involving Regina feeling threatened by Janis’ supposed attraction towards her, which could be seen as a precursor to the later portrayal of lesbian relationships in the film.

“Mean Girls, we watch it every night

And we both have a crush on Regina George.”

— Chappell Roan, Naked in Manhattan

From as early as 2004, fans who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community have interpreted Regina George’s actions as symbolic of her being a closeted character. They recognized elements such as her obsession with Janis, and her attempts to distance herself from her, which resonated with them personally or reminded them of their own experiences as closeted bullies. In the 2024 adaptation, these subtextual hints are now made explicit, making Regina George’s iconic status within the gay community even more pronounced.

To add to that, the 2024 adaptation of Mean Girls has chosen Reneé Rapp as the ideal Regina George. As a fellow lesbian musician, she played Regina in the Broadway production of Mean Girls. Tina Fey, the writer and producer, praised her by saying, “Reneé excels at close-ups. Her face is captivating, and when needed, she can be incredibly intimidating. I believe she’s perfect for the screen; she simply radiates power.” You can watch Mean Girls on Paramount+, while Mean Girls (2024) is available on Paramount+, Prime Video, and MGM+.

‘Pink Flamingos’ Developed a Cult Following

Last June at the Kentuckiana Pride Foundation Festival, I proudly honored the iconic drag queen, Divine, in my own unique way. I adorned myself in a fiery red sequined gown layered over a leopard print bodysuit – a tribute that would resonate with followers of this cult legend. To complete the look, my band and I donned makeup reminiscent of Divine’s signature style: high-arched, thin penciled brows, lined lips, a touch of blue eyeshadow, rosy blushed cheeks, and an abundance of eyeliner.

Divine has gained significant recognition for her lead role in the provocative satire sensation by John Waters, titled “Pink Flamingos“. In this film, Divine is seen traveling in a caravan with her 250-pound mother, Mama Edie, and their eccentric son, Crackers. This unconventional family has earned the title “the filthiest people alive”, but they face competition later on… The movie’s infamous, shocking ending still holds its ground as a classic today. Given its playful and offbeat tone, it’s no surprise that Chappell drew inspiration from this peculiar production. You can acquire Pink Flamingos through Criterion.

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2025-02-04 01:32