Inland Empire review

DVD of the week – A must-have addition to any arty DVD collection this summer is undoubtedly David Lynch’s Inland Empire.

The undisputed reigning monarch of surreal cinema, Oscar-nominated writer and director David Lynch, brought yet another bizarre film to the silver screen in March 2007, with Inland Empire perhaps proving his strangest yet.

With Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks proving to be Lynch’s most notable work to date, Inland Empire’s release onto DVD this week means that a whole new audience will soon be treated to the American director’s surrealism – with his latest film featuring an unlikely cast of giant rabbits, dancing prostitutes and homicidal gypsies in a three-hour abstract narrative.

Within the maze of plots and sub-plots Inland Empire tells the story of Nikki Grace, an actress who accepts a role in an ill-fated movie. Played by the captivatingly convincing Laura Dern, Nikki discovers she has snagged the lead role in a film which was previously abandoned due to a series of horrific murders. In true Lynchian style, the line between reality and fiction becomes increasingly blurred and the actress becomes convinced her life is mirroring the thickening plot.

Straddling genres – including gripping thriller, supernatural suspense and psychological horror – the central character is transported to a series of bizarre and nightmarish worlds with viewers following closely behind. Add a dash of dark humour and some deeply distressing imagery and prepare yourself for a terrifying trip inside Lynch’s mind.

While David Lynch’s patented brand of peculiarity might not be everyone’s cinematic cup of Earl Grey – indeed this latest work has divided film critics more than any other film produced in the last few years, with him being branding everything from a ‘genius’ to a ‘lunatic’ – the experimental and independently-produced Inland Empire is a beautifully dark and disturbingly thought-provoking film, that is sure to stretch your imagination, and your patience at times, as well as give you the shivers.

Film: Inland Empire
Directed by: David Lynch
Starring: Laura Dern, Justin Theroux, Jeremy Irons
Classification: 15
Release date: 20 August 2007
Available from: Amazon for £10.98

Also released on DVD this week is Mr Bean’s Holiday starring Rowan Atkinson; Alpha Dog starring Sharon Stone, Ben Foster, Bruce Willis and Justin Timberlake; The Reaping starring Hilary Swank; and Prison Break Series 2 starring Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell.

Michelle Byrne
20 August 2007