Lost Highway (1997)

Director:

David Lynch

Writers (WGA):

David Lynch (written by) &
Barry Gifford (written by)

Release Date:

21 February 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

After a bizarre encounter at a party, a jazz saxophonist is framed for the murder of his wife and sent to prison, where he inexplicably morphs into a young mechanic and begins leading a new life.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Videotape | Death | Jazz | Mechanic

Cast

Bill Pullman	...	Fred Madison
Patricia Arquette	...	Renee Madison / Alice Wakefield
John Roselius	...	Al
Louis Eppolito	...	Ed (as Lou Eppolito)
Jenna Maetlind	...	Party Girl
Michael Massee	...	Andy
Robert Blake	...	Mystery Man
Henry Rollins	...	Guard Henry
Michael Shamus Wiles	...	Guard Mike
Mink Stole	...	Forewoman (voice)
Leonard Termo	...	Judge (voice)
Ivory Ocean	...	Guard Ivory
Jack Kehler	...	Guard Johnny Mack
David Byrd	...	Doctor Smordin
Gene Ross	...	Warden Clements

Also Known As:

Lost Highway (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for bizarre violent and sexual content, and for strong language.

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Italy:VM14 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Mexico:C | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Poland:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Amargosa Hotel & Opera House, Death Valley Junction, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

Company:

October Films

Trivia:

According to the script for this film, the scene with Mr. Eddy and the tailgater takes place on Mulholland Drive. David Lynch would go on to direct a film of the same name (Mulholland Dr. (2001)), which also has a motor accident take place in the same spot.

Quotes:

Bill Dayton: The police called us today.
Pete Dayton: What did they want?
Bill Dayton: They wanted to know we had a chance to find out what happened to you the other night. And they wanted to know if you remembered anything.
Pete Dayton: But I don't remember anything. What'd you tell them?
Bill Dayton: [after a long pause] We're not going to say anything about that night to the police.
Candace Dayton: We saw you that night, Pete.
Bill Dayton: You came home with your friend, Sheila.
Pete Dayton: Sheila?
Bill Dayton: Uh-huh. There was a man with you two.
Pete Dayton: What is this? Why didn't you tell me anything? Who was the man?
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse (1933)

Soundtrack:

Driving Theme

It doesn't matter that the pieces fit.

I started this film upon renting it one night at 11:00 PM. I finished at about 1 in the morning. I was so stunned and awestruck that I stayed up until 3 in the morning to watch it again. This is one of the most spell-binding movies I have ever seen. Each time I see it my theory of the plot thickens. What I love about the movie is that it leaves you with the option to fill in the blanks. You will keep asking what happened and why that happened, but that is what makes the movie so awesome. David Lynch's skewed opinion of reality is very inspiring and I feel that my reality has changed ever since I watched it. Having watched it 13 times I can pretty safely say that my theory of the plot is set, but I still love to ponder exactly why.