Blue Velvet

Directed by David Lynch, Blue Velvet follows Kyle MacLachlan’s Jeffrey Beaumont as he’s drawn into a mystery involving a sultry lounge singer (Isabella Rossellini’s Dorothy Vallens) and a dangerous psycho (Dennis Hopper’s Frank Booth). There’s little doubt, ultimately, that Blue Velvet fares best in its striking, promising opening stretch, as Lynch, working from his own script, delivers a stylish endeavor that effectively establishes MacLachlan’s affable protagonist and the small-town environment in which he resides – with MacLachlan’s compelling efforts eventually matched by an oddball supporting cast that includes Laura Dern, Dean Stockwell, and Brad Dourif. (Hopper’s electrifying turn as the menacing villain remains an obvious highlight within the proceedings, however.) It’s disappointing to note, then, that Blue Velvet eventually segues into a sluggish and excessively deliberate midsection that seems to miss just as much as it hits, and, distressingly, the ensuing arms-length atmosphere prevents the picture from packing the engrossing, captivating vibe for which Lynch is clearly striving – with the movie’s undeniably watchable feel due almost entirely to the perpetually entertaining performances and a smattering of strong stand-alone sequences. And although the film closes on a comparatively enthralling note, Blue Velvet has long-since cemented its place as an overlong and thoroughly erratic piece of work that generally feels like it should be much, much better.

**1/2 out of ****