Blue Velvet
1986
Lumberton, North Carolina
David Lynch
Crime Mystery Erotic Thriller
What’s it all about: Isabella Rossellini is brutally punished for her out-of-tune singing at a night club
First Encounter: a VHS rental I watched with my sister and parents — everyone survived; Candotti’s first viewing.
Prostitute Index: nil
Death By: Dennis Hopper
Relics: high school girls in flats, interchangeable moms, deep 80s hair; old songs made creepy by playing them over gruesome scenes
Heartthrob: Isabella Rossellini
LoFi Magic: unceremonious wig removal, basement slow dancing, characters emerging from murky darkness; beetle metaphor, garden hose metaphor, fire metaphor (but not the robin metaphor); blue velvet swaying behind the credits
Makes me want to: stop by Arlene’s for a milkshake
Candotti take: “Very interesting.” / “It definitely had a beginning, but not an after-beginning. Things just happen.” / “The sunglasses I want.”
Worth a watch/rewatch: Yes (I prefer his work with more humor though, which is about everything after)
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