Blue Velvet (1986)

Has anyone actually seen this? What’s the verdict—is it even worth my time?
Generally speaking, Lynch's work is alright, but I haven't caught Velvet yet, so I'm questioning if there's any point in watching...

Blue Velvet (1986)

Hey

This movie is absolutely INSANE. I actually ended up picking it up on Duno. Honestly, all of Lynch's films are just 👍 🙏

Man, what a fantastic movie.OOOOO
How can you even ask if you should watch it? I mean, you’ve definitely heard of the film and the director—I’m pretty sure you don't usually spend this much time overanalyzing every single thing you watch. Sorry, my defense of Lynch is probably a bit aggressive.
If you can, grab the soundtrack. It’s incredible, just like so many of his other films. Honestly, I can’t decide if I like the one from Blue Velvet or the one from Lost Highway better.
Pay close attention to that Roy Orbison track—"In Dreams"—it'll give you literal chills.
And of course, like everything else he makes, there aren't many ordinary people to be found; it's just a whole cast of freaks and weirdos.

The movie is pure genius, even for those simpletons who just don't get Lynch 🙂

Rachel Wood said:Has anyone actually sat down and watched this yet? What’s the verdict—is it even worth borrowing?
I mean, I know Lynch's stuff is usually pretty cool, but I haven't seen Blue Velvet, so I'm not sure if there's even any point in checking this one out...

Well? Did you end up grabbing it? Was it actually worth the time?

The movie isn't exactly a masterpiece, but then again, what can you really expect? Give us something else to compare it to. Personally, I've never been one for slow-burns, and this one definitely drags.

Drew Young10 said:Man, what a masterpiece. Seriously.
How can you even ask if you should watch it? If you’ve heard of the director, you should know the deal. I assume you don't usually put this much thought into your watchlist anyway.

Of course I've heard of it. Every single person I ask about their absolute favorite movie mentions Velvet 99% of the time. I'm just skeptical because I've seen too many movies labeled "masterpieces" that turned out to be mediocre. I love Lynch too, though—I'd say Wild at Heart is a standout.🙂)

Drew Young10 said:If you can find the soundtrack, grab it. It’s incredible, just like most of his films.

I will. And isn't Wicked Game by Chris Isaak on that soundtrack?

Honestly, any movie by Lynch is worth a watch! Of course, not everyone is going to see it that way. Blue Velvet was probably his most "mainstream" hit, so... you have a better shot at not wanting to curse everything in sight once the credits roll. Personally, I’ve always been more drawn to his weirder, more labyrinthine stuff like Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive—the kind of films that leave people absolutely fuming when they walk out of the theater (like seeing a crowd of typical DIF-ovacs show up at a cinema near the Mississippi expecting something simple like American pie instead. 😠 It's honestly exhausting!) Lynch is a total beacon of light in this bland, cookie-cutter world! 🙏

Lisa Ramos28 said:Every single Lynch film is worth a watch! Though—of course—not everyone will see eye to eye on that. Blue Velvet was probably his most accessible work for the general public, so... there's a better chance you won't be cursing the universe once the credits roll. Personally, I lean toward his more complex, cryptic pieces (like Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive)—the ones that leave people feeling completely bewildered (especially when they head to a theater near the Mississippi, expecting something mainstream like American pie... 😠 It’s honestly exhausting! Lynch is a genuine glimmer of hope in this bland, hollow world! 🙏

I'm actually surprised you didn't bring up "Eraserhead"...😁
It's true that this particular film was a hit—giving him enough producer money to eventually blow his entire reputation on that "Twin Peaks" sequel... even though the series actually deals with what happened "before."

Blue Velvet represents such a beautiful moment of inspiration for Lynch...

As for those two you mentioned—Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive—I'd say they feel a bit like pure mannerism...

Is Lynch really a glimmer of hope?! The man is such a pessimist..!
😁

By the way, I should mention.

Eraserhead is totally twisted, and honestly, I loved it, but it doesn't really mess with your head quite like those two movies do. I’ve got such a soft spot for Lynch because his atmosphere is just unmatched—once you watch one of his films, you don't feel the same anymore. You might be preoccupied with a thousand real-world things, but after a Lynch flick, you're transported to this entirely different realm where everything feels wonderfully weird. His worlds are so far removed from reality, yet somehow they feel so close to our own that they just suck you right in. But hey, that's just me; I know some people walk away feeling pretty depressed.

I also absolutely loved Twin Peaks. Everyone was dragging Dune, but personally? I thought it was great. Maybe it’s because I was obsessed with that Dune strategy game on my computer back in elementary school, and the characters in it felt like they were ripped straight out of a Lynch film. Rabbits is legendary—it feels like Lynch is just getting more and more psychotic with every project! And while Wild at Heart is incredibly cool, it's actually one of my less favorite pieces of his. Man, oh man, Lynch 😍 He needs to get out there and film something new immediately! 👍

Lisa Ramos28 said:Mentioned it, by the way...

Eraserhead is twisted—and I loved it—but it doesn't haunt your thoughts quite like those other two films. I just adore Lynch because his atmosphere is unmatched; once you watch one of his movies, you never feel quite the same. You might be preoccupied with a thousand real-world things, but after a Lynch film, you're transported to this entirely different realm where everything feels beautifully strange. His worlds are so distant, yet somehow so close to our own that they pull you right in. But hey, that's just me—I know some people find them totally depressing.

Twin Peaks is also incredible. Everyone trashed Dune, but I thought it was great, obviously. Maybe it's because I was obsessed with that Dune strategy game back in middle school—the characters felt like they were pulled straight from a Lynch movie. Rabbits is legendary; Lynch is clearly getting more and more psychotic! Wild at Heart is absolutely brilliant, though it's one of my slightly less favorites. God, Lynch 😍 he needs to film something new immediately! 👍

My apologies. Lisa... so...
Well, there are a hundred people here, or 115 if you count the outliers...
It was actually Eraserhead that got me thinking (though, if that’s even a recommendation—and seeing as you seem to agree! 😁 —it's certainly "twisted"...😍 ), specifically regarding the existence of heaven and hell, and whether we might already be living through some kind of earthly hell... The meaning and possibility of happiness in this life—I think it challenges you to decide whether you're truly meant for an "eternal spirit/soul" existence, or not...
The film causes such turmoil, simply because the question is so delicate...
I suspect a more sensitive viewer—someone prone to questioning everything—might actually feel a sting during the screening, wondering if they are truly alive, or heaven forbid, in... hell...😍...

Finally caught this one yesterday after ages. It’s basically a prequel to Twin Peaks, picking up about four years after the original movie ends. Even the soundtrack has that same vibe. The whole thing is just straight-up bizarre, and man, Dennis Hopper absolutely kills it.

NBC:

After that "Dune" flick, cult director David Lynch went and made what most people call the best American movie of the eighties, "Blue Velvet." It’s basically the heart of his whole body of work, packed with all those classic Lynchian vibes—you know, those weird, twisted stories, that unsettling atmosphere, and that crazy way he mixes dark humor with pure cruelty. "Blue Velvet" just proves that Lynch is a total one-of-a-kind surrealist, probably the most consistent artist doing that kind of poetic stuff today, and not even just in movies. Every single actor killed it, but man, you really have to talk about Dennis Hopper. His portrayal of Frank Booth is easily one of the most terrifying and convincing villains ever put on screen.

Larry Walker24 said:I caught it yesterday after a long break. It’s basically a prequel to Twin Peaks, picking up four years later. Even the soundtrack feels like it belongs in that world. It’s just bizarre, and honestly, Dennis Hopper is absolutely killing it here.

Some people genuinely don't understand what the word "literally" actually means.

Larry Walker24 said:It’s basically a prequel to Twin Peaks, picking up four years after this movie ends. Even the soundtrack gives off those same vibes. It's just totally surreal...

That being the style, really. The actual plot doesn't have much to do with Twin Peaks at all.

A total masterpiece. 10/10.

Pabst Blue Ribbon!

🤣🤣🤣

I honestly can't believe this movie only gets a single page on this entire forum. It’s unbelievable! In my book, this is easily one of the greatest films ever put to celluloid.

Steven Newman50 said:I can't even begin to deal with this right now. Honestly, just looking at my screen makes me want to throw my laptop out the window. It’s like nobody actually thinks before they type anymore. Just total chaos.It's all about the style. Look, this whole thing has absolutely nothing to do with Twin Peaks.

Exactly what I was thinking. 👍