Blue Velvet

1986 Drama

Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery-thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence, corruption, drug abuse, crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont, a square-jawed young man who returns to his picture-perfect small town when his father suffers a stroke. Walking through a field near his home, Jeff discovers a severed human ear, which he immediately brings to the police. Their disinterest sparks Jeff's curiosity, and he is soon drawn into a dangerous drama that's being played out by a lounge singer, Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) and the ether-addicted Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper). The sociopathic Booth has kidnapped Dorothy's young son and is using the child as a bargaining chip to repeatedly beat, humiliate and rape Dorothy. Though he's drawn to the virginal, wholesome Sandy Williams (Laura Dern), Jeff is also aroused by Dorothy and in trying to aid her, he discovers his dark side. As the film nears its conclusion, our hero learns that many more indivduals are tacitly involved with Frank, including a suave, lip-synching singer, Ben (Dean Stockwell), who is minding the kidnapped boy. Director Lynch explored many similar themes of the "disease" lying just under the surface of the small town, all-American façade in his later television series Twin Peaks (1990-91). more..

Director: David Lynch

Starring: Kyle MacLachlan,Dennis Hopper,Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern

Reviews

  • As fascinating as it is freakish. It confirms Mr. Lynch's stature as an innovator, a superb technician, and someone best not encountered in a dak alley.

    Elvis Mitchell - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • The most brilliantly disturbing film ever to have its roots in small-town American life.

    Sheila Benson - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • The last real earthquake to hit cinema was David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" -- I'm sure directors throughout the film world felt the earth move beneath their feet and couldn't sleep the night of their first encounter with it back in 1986. (Review of 20th Anniversary Re-Release)

    - Village Voice

    19 January 2013

  • One powerful, mesmerizing thriller, a masterful exercise in controlling an audience's attention.

    Gene Siskel - The Chicago Tribune

    19 January 2013

  • You either think it's dementedly wild at heart or a lost highway to nowhere.

    Marjorie Baumgarten - Austin Chronicle

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Director

    Academy Awards (1987)

     
  • David Lynch

    Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival (1987)

  • Best Cinematography

    Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (1987)

  • Best Casting for Feature Film, Drama

    Casting Society of America (1987)

     
  • Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera)

    Fotogramas de Plata (1987)