Review of Blue Velvet

Many consider Blue Velvet to be the most important piece of work that Lynch ever did. I had only seen a few of Lynch's other films before (Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Mulholland Drive, and Wild at Heart). My basic understanding was this: if David Lynch wrote it, it would be incredibly cerebral and take a long time to digest. My experience with Blue Velvet was much more gentle than I expected it to be. While it touched on typical motifs I expect of Lynch (heavily sexualized content, grandiose characters, long and deeply discomforting moments) the takeaway messages were much more subdued and simple. I believe it to a story that discusses outward actions and inward desires. Many young men are told to find a Sandy Williams but inwardly are fascinated by a Dorothy Vallens. Many people have morbid curiosity that could go as far as to put themselves in danger. The double-faced-"but with the right intentions?" actions of Jeffrey Beaumont as personally relevant and important to certain people, but probably not everyone. I give Blue Velvet a 7/10.