Blue Velvet (1986)

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This is probably the film that best exemplifies the distinctive and disturbing work of director David Lynch. A cult thriller verging on film-noir, it shocked audiences when it was released in 1986, and is still incredibly powerful and surreal 20 years on. An exploration of the darker nature of small-town America, its premise is relatively simple, but the delivery is exquisite, wrapped up in intricate, often impenetrable detail.

Callow youth Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) comes across a severed ear in a field. He goes against the advice of a police detective and decides to investigate the case. This brings him to the apartment of singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) where he finds that pimp and drug dealer Frank Booth (one of cinema's all-time out-and-out nutters, played with great aplomb by Dennis Hopper) is abusing her. He becomes Dorothy's guardian angel, and discovers the reason why Frank holds her in his evil grip. But that sado-masochistic revelation means he then fears for his own safety and that of his girlfriend Sandy (Laura Dern)...

A cult classic, Blue Velvet was also a success at the box office, winning Lynch an Oscar nomination and re-energising Dennis Hopper's career in the process. Highly recommended.

Blue Velvet is a Film programme that first aired in 1986 and has been rated 18.

Blue Velvet is a 4 star programme.

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