The Criterion Collection 2022 Releases: LOST HIGHWAY (Spine No. 1152) 

Thank you Daisuke for yet another sincere, heartfelt and meaningful review. Although I don’t comment often, I want you to know how much and how thoroughly I enjoy your videos. You are not alone and lost on this highway. Be well my friend.

What a masterpiece. I hope that Unrecorded Night will happen.... We need other Lynch's movies.

In Lynches work there is a tone which can only be described as mundane americana mixed with the horrifically absurd, the unusual in an environment of normality. It is a contrast of two polar opposites who, ideally, should never cross. You expressed so many ideas I've had about Lynch in this video. Excellent analysis. There is an absurdity in his films, which at once makes them more comedic, but also more horrific. I got to see this film in theaters in July this year. It was during the initial release of this new 4k version. The opening of the film, with David Bowie, and the road designed to look as Lynchian as a road could possibly look, is amazing to see on the big screen.

I think you’re one of the best people who cover criterion. There’s this one podcast that covers Criterion but those creeps act like they don’t even like movies and the talk about nonsense

Still remains my favorite Lynch film!

Some months ago I was in Los Angeles and drove by David Lynch's house, which was used for the exterior shots of Bill Pullman's house in this film. It was a surreal experience, to say the least.

Michael Haneke liked Lost Highway so much he borrowed it for Cache.

This was a great discussion Daisuke! I share your enthusiasm, my friend.

Hello Daisuke. Saw this film tonight for the first time and I think your review really captured the essence of this gripping, mysterious neo-noir. Structurally, it did remind me of Wong Kar Wai's "Chungking Express", in that we are being told one story when suddenly we are thrust into a new story involving some of the same characters. As with much of Lynch's work, this film leaves us with more questions than answers, and this is all part of the fascination we take away from it. Thank you for the review.

Great Daisuke. Excellent analysis of the film. You brilliantly tell us that depending on how the viewer reacts to the film, whether through someone who wants to unravel the secret of a Noir film or through someone who lets themselves be carried away by the images like a dream, the film can be seen countless times. That's the greatness of a masterpiece, there are no boundaries for it.

Never seen this film, but it sounds interesting. David Lynch is a very different filmmaker from most. Thank you for talking about this film, keep up the great work and I hope you’re doing well. Have a great weekend!

Thanks!

I’ve heard of this but never seen it. Always good to get your take on a Criterion release before taking the plunge. The crazier the world gets, the more Lynch seems to be a documentary film maker.

I can’t wait more for the release of Inland Empire!!

*pulls out a VHS tape from a glove compartment* “You like pornos?” Cracks me up every time.

Hi Daisuke! Haven’t been able to watch any of your videos in a while so I apologize for my absence. I first saw Lost Highway wayyy back when I was in 4th grade in 2008-9(?) because I was (and still am) a huge fan of Rammstein and I had saw the music video that was done for this movie on RU-vid. Sought it out and I remember loving it but not knowing why. I still don’t understand a lot of it but to me Lynch is all about the vibes and to try to understand every watch or go in with a different goal of the watch (whether to spot repeat Lynch cast like Jack Nance). I never try to find the answer to my questions or just to understand more because that ruins the fun of a Lynch film. You talking about “letting go” and seeing the journey is exactly what I mean (heard you say that as I typed this haha). I’m really excited for this release and I was disappointed my B&N didn’t have the 4k for this during the sale but there’s always next sale :). Thank you for the hard work and for all you do for the community. Time to finish watching ❤

DAISUKE SAN, HAPPY NEW YEAR OF 2023!!! My guess is always correct, i knew you should pick it into your TOP 1 list, LOST HIGHWAY is a brilliant movie that I could watch over and over, and I also like Blue Valvet too! I Like your channel a lots, and I always follow your grest review on other criterion films at all!

I adore all of Lynch's work, but there's something about Lost Highway. It's got a unique capacity to get better each viewing. Every time I watch it, it becomes a more exciting experience. As well, there is a beautiful tangled web of connection between Lost Highway and the noir film Kiss Me Deadly. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys Lost Highway!

Hello, Daisuke! Looking at the cover art right now, it totally becomes apparent that Lost Highway really is almost the closest thing Lynch has to a Michelangelo Antonioni film. Patiently waiting for Criterion to release The Straight Story!

Phenomenal film! And a great breakdown and praise, Daisuke. Dang...I hate digi-packs.

Funny this film got a lot of criticism when it came out, even by R Ebert. Anyway Daisuke you make it sound amazing. So will look it up in a sale.

**Spoilers** Daisuke, thank you for this discussion of the Criterion release of David Lynch's film Lost Highway and your experience with it. In a way, my watching this film for the first time was a main event of my 2022 with so much David Lynch on my mind and having had so many recent first time experiences with some of his works. Watching Lost Highway was and is for me a truly memorable experience and it will be a film that I return to as often as possible to enjoy the sensation it gives me. I had been in the dark on this film for the most part prior to the announcing of this Criterion release and then a certain amount of hype was built up for me as I was working through Twin Peaks/The Return in my mind. I just knew seeing Lost Highway for the first time would elevate my already high opinion of David Lynch even higher and boy did it ever!! It's another David Lynch work that leaves you feeling like you might understand the overall concept or idea that the film is trying to present and yet is your opinion really the true meaning? So much room for delightful interpretation!! I see this film as ultimately being about a man who is dealing with the stress and anxiety that his wife might be cheating on him and so when he murders her and goes to prison he is transported to a different time in his life where he was a different person experiencing things that would ultimately fill him with the passionate intensity to play the saxophone in a transcendental way in David Lynch flashing lights/nightmare-mode, your wife walking away with a creepy faced rich guy! Ahhh!!! So many things to mention in this film that excite me, Daisuke! THE Lonestar, Bill Pullman! I was so delighted to see his presence in this film. Your comments about Patricia Arquette and her masterfully acted role(s) are so spot on and I will remember them when I return to this film in the future. She was a sort of femme fatale of a whole new kind of noir variety that I can't even begin to describe accurately, but she is now, for me, an essential part of the world of Lynch. I must give a BIG shout out to a scene in which she is mouthing the words "wow". LOL! Truly horrific scene. So many other surprises in this film for me such as the epic soundtrack. I'm not the biggest Nine Inch Nails fan, but I've begun to notice/recognize the talent of Trent Reznor and how his music can really enhance tv/film. Also a particular song by the band Rammstein! Hearing that song at a particular scene in the film is so badass and takes me waayyyyyy back to teenage years first hearing about that band. Gary Busey being in this film as well as Robert Loggia were epic surprises for me as well that were a part of me not reading about the film and remaining as much in the dark about it as possible. Again I am treated to a classic Robert Loggia performance and the story of how he got his role in this film truly is brilliant and true to my image of his persona. The creepy camcorder wielding man in this film and all other scenes that involve VHS tapes or scenes of "transformation" were so unsettling and left me feeling like I hit my head on a coffee table.. Though I cannot stand stress or anxiety in real life, I get such a delight when I watch a film or work by David Lynch that uses stressful or anxious scenes and imagery to deliver a certain feeling that leads to one's own unique experience in viewing the work. I hope that last sentence made sense, but it is hard to describe the works of David Lynch in an all encompassing way. My recent viewings of Lost Highway, David Lynch The Art Life, Dune, and Eraserhead were all such top rated experiences for me this year. This was all enhanced to a new level thanks to having been able to also experience Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me and The Return with your commentary! This Lost Highway release is a true treasure in my physical media collection now. In fact, even though I don't have a 4K player yet, I absolutely had to grab the 4K release of this film as the blu-ray option was not in the Criterion quality David Lynch digipak presentation! Yet another great look/feel to a box that possesses a brilliant work by David Lynch. Wow... So much more to say but I hope what I mention here captures even a little bit of the excitement I have for this great and memorable work, Lost Highway! Hope you are well, my friend and I look forward to hearing you speak more about David Lynch in the future! Cheers and thank you also for that little Easter egg at the end of your video! Lol!

What happens between a man and his wife that sets off an unusual chain of events? What sort of mysterious and unusual things are going on between the characters and the worlds they inhabit? What inspirations did David Lynch draw from to make this film? How does it compare to other Lynch works? And what themes are present in this movie that help it stand out? These are some intriguing and deep questions one can ask as they watch Lynch's unwavering and reappraised masterpiece Lost Highway. It is a movie that has the typical David Lynchian elements but takes them to a whole other level and has become one of the finest films that Lynch has done in his film making career. It is an amazing film overall. but to really explore it, there will be SPOILERS ahead. You have been warned. The movie starts off with a musician named Fred Madison (Bill Pullman) who lives with his beautiful wife Renee Madison (Patricia Arquette) with a seemingly normal life. Things start to change when Fred hears a message that says "Dick Laurent is dead." He goes to a party and comes across a mysterious man who unsettles him. He also keeps getting these tapes sent to his house that show the inside of his abode which unsettles him and his wife. Things take a turn for the worst when he receives a final tape which shows his wife brutally murdered by him. This ends up actually happening and Fred is in jail and is sentenced for her murder. While in his prison cell, strange things start to happen to Fred and the story takes a whole other turn. A tremendous thing about this movie is the top notch acting that is within the confines of the motion picture itself. Bill Pullman does a fantastic job as Fred who is not all as he seems. We also get to see Balthazar Getty as mechanic Pete Dayton who is equally mysterious but has a connection to Fred. I also have to give praise to the dual roles done by Patricia Arquette and Robert Loggia in their roles, especially Patricia herself! We even get Robert Blake as The Mystery Man (in his last film role and his personal life oddly mimicking the events of this film in a cruelly ironic way) being creepy and having an alterior purpose. This is also the last film for Richard Pryor and Jack Nance respectively as well giving good performances as well. There's even appearances from Mink Stole (a regular of John Waters) Giovanni Ribisi, Gary Busey, Henry Rollins and even Marilyn Manson shows up briefly. There's a lot of star power packed into this movie! One has to really appreciate the music within the movie as well. Don't let Fred's saxophone playing tell you any different, there's an edgier feel to the movie which represents how on edge the characters are, and it especially puts the audience on edge too! The music has artists like Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, The Smashing Pumpkins and Rammstein evoking a certain sense of dread and hardcore feel to the movie which is the most I've seen in an Lynch film. One also mustn't forget the brilliant David Bowie song 'I'm Deranged' which bookends the whole movie which is a prefect representation of Fred Madison himself by foreshadowing his inner demons and true personality itself. With any Lynch film, the music delivers on a big level and captures the film perfectly. To truly grasp this movie in detail, one has to understand that this film is divided into three parts. The first part is all about the way others would see Fred and Renee's life in general. They appear like a typical couple with all they could ever ask for. But this feels a little too convenient. It also seems like there are cracks in the armor of their marriage which may hint at Fred and Renee having a lot of infighting going on and Renee on the receiving end generally. There is a sense of ignorance happening here with those who perceive the couple as happy when it couldn't be further form the truth as Fred is responsible for Renee's death and he pays for it despite denial which is how the story typically plays out. Things take a turn when the second part of the story comes into focus as within his cell, Fred "transforms" into Pete Dayton who is a mechanic and a small time criminal. In a strange turn of events, Pete is released and is taken back home to his parents. He then resumes his life as a mechanic and we are introduced to a different set of characters which feels like a whole other movie entirely with Pete's co-workers, his friends, his girlfriend and the sketchy Mr. Eddy who takes a liking to Pete despite having a criminal background and is unhinged (like a somewhat suppressed Frank Booth). But things aren't as they seem and this world we get acquainted to seems off with the appearance of Alice Wakefield who is somewhat similar to Fred's wife Renee which leads Pete to take interest in her and distorts this world in general. The last third/part of the movie gets us reintroduced to Fred again who appears after a somewhat long absence as he goes after Dick Laurent with the assistance of The Mystery Man. He kills him and then goes back to his house which starts the circle of events in some kind of crazy loop if one goes back to the beginning. I look at this section of the film as being just as surreal as the second part, but an illustration of who Fred really is and a fantastic way for his character to go out. This tells me that a good majority of the film, especially the remaining two thirds is essentially all in Fred's head and represents his fractured psyche which ends this bizarre, yet out-of-this world journey. It takes some deducing, but the basic principal of the movie is how this is all about Fred committing a terrible crime with killing his wife Renee and going to jail for it yet is in denial about it. The rest of the movie is him coming to terms with this crime and even taking on the persona of Pete who has the kind of a life Fred wishes he had but can't. And then you have the representations of his wife either as Renee or Alice who acts as a reminder of what he loved in his own dangerous way. He thinks of Alice as he wanted his wife Renee to be and there is a certain purity at first but then followed by a certain dangerousness that acts as a form of temptation. Something he wants to have but can't since his actual wife is dead. And the ending which is all bizarre is him getting fried when it comes to paying the price. There are the questions about Mr. Eddy/Dick Laurent and the Mystery Man in terms of how they relate to Fred. I've heard of these two in addition to Fred's personality being used in Freudian principles, but I see Mr. Eddy and Dick Laurent being the sinister side of desire/wants and needs. Mr. Eddy is the positive side of negative influence with wants and desires and being successful, while Dick Laurent is all negative and all about. Both characters may also be about trust too. With Mr. Eddy, that trust is gained and with Dick Laurent that trust is lost. The Mystery man has been equated to the Devil himself, though I think he is more of the subconscious evil that resides within Fred which has been repressed, only to come out (or as he says 'invited' in) and have him fulfill those negative emotions to commit terrible acts of violence on Dick Laurent and Renee. Inspiration comes from a number of things and in David Lynch's case, it came in two different ways. The first was how the name 'Dick Laurent' was used due to a strange call/knock on Lynch's door saying the infamous words that Fred would say. Lynch never found out if it was real or not if someone had actually died but it left an indelible mark and he would use that in the movie. The other part of the inspiration is how Lynch subconsciously used the O.J. Simpson case for the plot. Quite a few similarities to be had here, though the real difference was the outcome with O.J. not being found guilty and Fred being guilty. But the influences are strong here and is told in a warped way unlike the real outcome. Lost Highway is unique like all David Lynch films, though I feel that this one takes a darker turn mainly because it goes in bolder directions. Lynch has explored the seedier side of things with Blue Velvet and Mulholland Dr. before, but Lost Highway is dark throughout and touches on themes related to sexuality and violence that would leave one uncomfortable. It might just be the most mature film that Lynch has ever made. And the narrative being as unpredictable as it is serves as a parable to the loss of identity and the creation of fantasy and in a sense living vicariously through one's own world. At the end of the day, a man still kills his wife and has to pay the piper for it. Dick Laurent is dead...

You sound like Tom Cruise. How?