It’s David Lynch’s birthday! The director of Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and of course “Twin Peaks” turns 66 today! Of course, I could tell you to watch his movies and stuff — they all generally deserve multiple viewings because of their haunting beauty and sheer audacious crazy — but surely there’s a more NOGOODFORME kind of way to honor such a beautiful genius, no? Anyway: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVID LYNCH! Thank you for making such transcendent movies! Here’s how I’m gonna celebrate your birthday!
DANCE DREAMILY AT YOUR FAVORITE DINER
David Lynch’s films generally have fantastic uses of music — he’s a real genius with film sound (I wrote a whole paper on it, ages ago!) Film sound often functions as a movie’s subconscious, and his films are a particularly riveting combination of ethereal darkness and oddly buoyant pop charm. (I even dug the heavy industrial vibe of Lost Highway! Nine Inch Nails!) What would “Twin Peaks” be without the spooky sounds of Julee Cruise and Angelo Badalamenti?
This is Julee Cruise singing “Rockin’ Back Inside My Heart” on the BBC in 1989! Oh my god, the back-up singers’ dresses!
HAVE A HARROWING MOMENT OR TWO
The juxtaposition of surfaces of innocence with a teaming underbelly of moral corruption and surreal nightmares is really the crux of what makes Lynch such a genius as a filmmaker. That scary moment of the thing behind the diner in Mulholland Drive, the frighteningly debasing of nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens in Blue Velvet or BOB (he still scares me!) — those are the most memorable moments of a Lynch movie, whether you like them or not. You can’t have light without dark, so do a little dance with your inner demon. Otherwise it will lurk in the back of your proverbial diner or at the food of your bed, waiting to SCARE YOU TO DEATH. BOB!!!
GET A HOLD OF THE SECRET DIARY OF LAURA PALMER
Did anyone else read this when it came out? I remember reading it, passing it around with friends, all of us going, “OH MY GOD THIS BOOK IS SO DIRTY!” It was great fun. It actually works really well as a standalone work, and pulls you into the whole “Twin Peaks” mystery so beautifully. I wish I could find my copy for it somewhere!
WEAR SADDLE SHOES AND PLAID SKIRTS, OR PINK LYCRA AND HEAVY EYEBROWS, OR A SNAKESKIN JACKET
I truly never appreciated the genius costuming of “Twin Peaks” until I worked in film as a wardrobe designer — the combination of 50s-esque schoolgirl silhouettes with Northwest fabrics, colors and textures was truly inspired. My favorite was always Audrey, who had a way with plaid tweed skirts, tight sweaters and dark lipstick:
But I actually think the best fashion film in terms of Lynch’s canon is Wild at Heart. Sailor and Lulu! Proto-True Romance, no? Pink lycra! Snakeskin jacket! Isabella Rossellini’s eyebrows! Wowza!
FOLLOW AGENT DALE COOPER’S ADVICE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
“Every day, once a day, give yourself a present.”
So said TV’s most perfect man ever. Follow his advice: it’s guaranteed to make your life happy and amazing!
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Tags: Agent Dale Cooper, Audrey Horne, Blue Velvet, BOB, David Lynch, Laura Palmer, Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks
Audrey was so great! Why did they totally waste her by sticking her out in the brothel for so long? I loved the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vibe of Audrey, Donna, James, and Maddy trying to solve the mystery on their own completely separate track from Cooper and Truman.
I need to see Fire Walk With Me. I remember it was so hated, but I love everything David Lynch does, pretty much. Look at his coffee commercial!
I read The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer and totally felt dirty reading it. For me, that book is defined by the moment where a coked up Laura accidentally runs a girl’s cat over while looking at an adult magazine and driving at the same time. (It is possible that I am mis-remembering this, but I am pretty sure it happened.) Also worth reading, though not as dirty, is The Autobiography of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes.
god i hope you’re not misremembering