Lynch/Oz
DOGWOOFDavid Lynch is notoriously one of the most cryptic filmmakers in the history of cinema. While some directors may jump at the opportunity to explain their creative choices, Lynch always shied away from revealing how his artistic mind works and what is the hidden meaning of his works. He has, however, been very open about his lifelong love with Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz, a classic fantasy musical that has made children and adults alike dream for many, many decades.
Film theorists and fans alike have used this insight as a Rosetta Stone to uncover deeper layers of his works. Lynch/Oz, assembled by Swiss documentarist and all-around cinephile Alexandre O. Philippe, is a collection of video essays that see six critics and filmmakers try to untangle the various connections between Dorothy’s whimsical journey to the world of Oz with those of John Merrick, Jeffrey Beaumont, Laura Palmer, and other Lynchian protagonists.
One question instantly comes to mind while listening to Amy Nicholson talk about the leitmotif of wind in Lynch’s films: who is this for? A fair question, one that arises with most documentaries that focus on an artist’s body of work. On the one hand, moviegoers who are only marginally familiar with some of Lynch’s films will feel quite lost with all of the references and vast amount of spoilers (everything from Eraserhead to Twin Peaks: The Return is discussed in full spoilers). On the other, fans of Lynch likely know most of the connections and parallels that are drawn here. It does not help that the structure and format feel taken straight from YouTube with little to no cinematic flair, making this feel like a feature-length episode of essayists like NerdWriter or Now You See It.
Thankfully, those tasked with analyzing the films of the Missoula-born pop surrealist all manage to create compelling and engaging arguments that make this a pleasant watch. The standouts are John Waters’ retelling of how he became friends with Lynch and how his films are inspired by Judy Garland’s and Margaret Hamilton’s iconic characters, Karyn Kusama’s refreshingly optimistic look at Mulholland Drive, and David Lowery’s introspective examination of cinematic obsessions and their influence on young filmmakers.
While it is unlikely to blow anyone’s mind, Lynch/Oz is a good enough excuse to look at Wild at Heart, Blue Velvet, Lost Highway, and other profoundly dark and magical films from different perspectives. A more unique approach to storytelling, one that doesn’t rely exclusively on film footage, would have helped in making this stand out among similar documentaries that are readily available online. Perfect only for someone who has just discovered David Lynch and is yet to unpack all of his influences.