A Hollywood Story – 2

As we look at great Hollywood films—to give you a grounding in the genre that will allow you to write your own Hollywood story—let’s take a look at another film, that like last week’s Sunset Boulevard, was named after a street: Mulholland Drive [2001].

What’s the deal about naming films after streets? For Sunset Boulevard, it was about taking that iconic street in this iconic town and saying something about the deterioration… not just of the street, but of those living on the street who are mired in the past. In its own way, Mulholland Drive, written by David Lynch, is the same kind of street… one littered with broken dreams. Lynch once said that when you drive Mulholland, especially at night, “you ride on top of the world” and he really believed you could “feel the history of Hollywood in that road.”

Sunset Boulevard is a street—or was in 1950—that is lined with mansions for the rich and famous. But Mulholland… it’s different. It’s a street that winds through the hills and with each curve you get a new view. Sometimes that view is of the houses on the street, but even more often it’s of the city, the valley, the majestic hills and even just the road itself, extending endlessly before you. You get the feeling that anything is possible here, that you’re on top of the world and, surely, choices and chances are just around the next bend.

Many people find Mulholland Drive to be convoluted and difficult to follow. It’s one of those films that has fun with the story within a story within a dream within a fantasy. But the plot really isn’t the most important thing in Mulholland Drive—it’s the feel of the film, the earnestness of some characters and the greed of others that drive it forward.

At its core, Mulholland Drive is about a woman, an actress, who is fighting to make her way in the business—in Hollywood. And she’s good—we see this from an audition she gives. But as the story progress, we feel for her, because from her point of view, the town is full of blonde actresses just like her. So, despite her talent, she seems just one of many. She and her alter ego, Diane, both just love the movies and are very nostalgic about cinema and about the town that makes them.

Is Mulholland Drive an indictment of Hollywood? Sure. But it’s also a testament to how it can drive peoples’ lives, how it can take them on this rollercoaster ride, down dangerous curves, and the end? Well, it’s not too good.

If you’re thinking about writing a film like Mulholland Drive, I’d think twice. The script’s a tough one to follow, so for your first pass at a Hollywood movie, try something a bit more accessible. But when it comes to character, take a good look at how Lynch creates these women… give yourself something to aim for!

Copyright © Diane Lake

17Mar19

Email Diane a question to Diane@DianeLake.com