Movies

Appreciation: Long live the wizard, David Lynch

BBG News

On January 16, 2025, as David Lynch‘s family confirmed his passing on social media, sunny skies with a high of 66 degrees were predicted for Los Angeles – a weather update that Lynch himself might have shared cheerfully, had he not ceased recording his daily weather updates two years prior. With an affinity for the role, it seems fitting that this eccentric filmmaker would adopt the role of an almanac. Born a farm boy in Missoula, Montana, Lynch found solace in checking the weather, a habit he could easily share with others unlike his other idiosyncrasies: daily meditation, excessive coffee consumption, and smoking since the age of 8.

Lynch shared that he stopped doing weather broadcasts due to fatigue and his desire for more sleep. Some fans speculated this could mean a secret new project, given Lynch’s history of encouraging magical thinking and embracing the impossible. Despite his advanced age and health issues like emphysema, the anticipation of future Lynch projects overshadowed these concerns.

Recently, the Runyon Canyon fire required Lynch to leave his home, a place rich with creative inspiration that served as both the location for the 1997 film “Lost Highway” and a studio where he crafted unique pieces like chairs.

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As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on the profound impact of the late David Lynch, whose passing left an indelible mark at the age of 78. His legacy lives on through the hearts and minds of his numerous collaborators, as well as those he inspired, such as Richard Kelly, the visionary director behind “Donnie Darko.

David Lynch was a unique blend of straightforward and enigmatic, a man who’d casually dine at Bob’s Big Boy while penning scripts that even he found baffling. On the set, when actors inquired about their character motivations, he openly admitted, “Often, I didn’t have the answer myself, and I was concealing this fact so as not to disturb them.” If he did eventually decipher it, he kept his findings private. Known for his secrecy, Lynch never revealed the interpretations behind his work, instead leaving it up to us to discover the personal significance of our favorite David Lynch film – be it “Mulholland Drive,” “The Elephant Man,” “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,” “The Straight Story” or any other – and what it means to us.

He often cited “The Wizard of Oz” as his preferred film, weaving references to it throughout his own work. It serves as a universal reference point – the closest equivalent our culture has to a collective myth, and perhaps the only movie that’s resonated with vast audiences for over eight decades. Hearing my grandmother recount her experience of watching the world transition from black and white to color was the first time I truly envisioned her as a child.

The 2022 documentary titled “Lynch/Oz” delves into the connections between the mysterious filmmaker and the iconic movie franchise. I’m featured in this film, and during my part, I express my theory that Lynch identified himself as the magician hidden behind the curtain, understanding the disappointment that might come from knowing exactly how he manipulates things. Despite their complexities, his films serve as a testament that the journey to Oz is not what truly matters. Instead, it’s the emotional impact of Oz that holds significance.

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The writer recalls his experiences with the deceased movie director, known for abhorring analysis of his craft. However, it was impossible not to admire his adherence to the Boy Scout code, which endeared him to many.

In my younger days, as a film student who viewed movies as puzzles to unravel for academic papers, David Lynch’s work used to leave me utterly bewildered and annoyed. Filled with youthful arrogance (and insecurity), I stormed out of “Inland Empire,” convinced that he was ridiculing anyone who dared attempt to decipher him: “They’re just twisting themselves into knots trying to understand these enigmatic symbols, like rabbits, lumberjacks, and screwdrivers.” I was so naive at the time that I failed to grasp that there could be profound meaning without a clear-cut moral or answer. Today, with age and wisdom, I recognize those are the tales that resonate deeply within us.

To clarify, I began observing David Lynch’s work during his mature career. By then, “Lynchian” had become a term casually applied to anything with a striking rug and an actor under 4 feet 6 inches tall. It’s fascinating how a director’s unique style can give birth to its own genre. However, when a filmmaker’s work is judged based solely on similarities to their previous works, it becomes more about comparing checklists of aesthetics rather than analyzing the films themselves. This isn’t about understanding cinema; it’s merely skimming the surface.

In my perspective, shallow glances seldom unveil the entire narrative, not even for the master of explosions and chaos like Michael Bay. However, David Lynch is a different story altogether. His primary intent was delving into the profound mysteries of the human psyche. This notion was hinted at in his 2006 book on meditation titled “Catching the Big Fish,” where he analogized his subconscious to uncharted seas. The former president of the Seattle Assn. of Psychiatrists once acknowledged that Lynch possesses an extraordinary intuitive grasp of human psychology, bordering on genius.

In a straightforward manner, the director expressed himself as follows: “Everyone carries a multitude of thoughts and emotions,” he explained. “I believe many individuals may not fully comprehend the shadowy aspects within themselves.

My connection with Lynch deepened when I traced his journey back to the start of his professional life. His 1977 breakthrough film, “Eraserhead,” earned him the title of midnight-movie icon – it’s a hit at eighth-grade sleepovers, believe me. As I grew older and began to understand the weight of parenthood, that’s when I stopped viewing Lynch as merely a genius, or a joker, or a spiritual leader. Instead, I came to see him as a fellow human being. “Eraserhead” served as a platform for Lynch to convey his private, unspoken anxieties about parenthood. When Sherilyn Fenn expressed her desire to become a parent on the set of “Twin Peaks,” he advised her to first watch “Eraserhead.

I’ve grown to appreciate the difficulty in loving Lynch, a challenge I now relish. It demands trust, and even today, “Blue Velvet” is hailed as a masterpiece. However, during an early preview screening, one of producer Dino De Laurentis’ acquaintances reported that there were more than just exits – people fled the theater. After Isabella Rossellini’s representatives watched it, they decided to terminate their contract with her.

The Return,” I saw a similar image on screen. It seemed like Lynch had somehow connected our minds, or merged ours together. Perhaps, he unconsciously understood that we all share a common dream.

It’s not surprising that not everyone meditates. In Lynch’s case, he often alluded to “The Wizard of Oz,” assuming his viewers would understand when he placed Lulu, the protagonist of “Wild at Heart,” in ruby slippers. Indeed, Lynch was like the wizard, but I believe he also embodied Dorothy. At 78, he retained the innocence and awe of a newcomer, and his goodness was so profound that it could take us all on a journey to another world. I hope wherever he is, whatever the conditions, there’s a rainbow for him too.

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2025-01-17 14:31

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