David Lynch is one of the great minds of modern cinema, and one of the most unusual and cerebral filmmakers of all time. Renowned as one of the great storytellers of his age, David Lynch has developed a reputation for being one of the most unique directors in the industry. His work has met with much love and acclaim by audiences and directors, and he has developed a cult following.
Considered to be the world’s first popular surrealist, David Lynch has a reputation for taking his time over movies. As a perfectionist, there are often years between films, and this heightens the anticipation for audiences and critics. His ten features have been widely discussed in academic circles, and have been widely influential in modern cinema. We’re going to look at the movies we would class as his masterpieces:
Wild At Heart (1990)
This is definitely Lynch’s most underrated movie, and it certainly ranks as one of his best. Nic Cage and Laura Dern play a couple on the run from gangsters in this gorgeous road movie. The visuals are dynamic, and the movie is very violent. But, this Palme d’Or Winner is one of the best movies Lynch has ever made. The pacing is great, and the characters unique and interesting; sure, it’s sleazy and a little over indulgent, but that’s pretty much the point. So many people underrate this movie, and we think that is a crime.
Dune (1984)
Another exceptionally underrated offering from the master of surrealism – Lynch passed over directing Return of the Jedi to take the director’s chair for this adaptation. In many ways it’s the ultimate Lynch sci-fi movie – there are sandworms, spaceships, and sprawling desert landscapes. The movie is pretty insane, and a visual treat, and it’s even got Sting in it! A lot of people don’t like the way the film was adapted from Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel, but we think this is one of the best movies Lynch has ever made.
Blue Velvet (1986)
Okay, now we’re really talking – Blue Velvet is widely regarded as David Lynch’s magnum opus, and it’s hard to argue. This was Lynch’s breakthrough and most commercially successful flick, and it has a fantastic cast. The power and shock factor of this film still endures to this day, and it’s a masterful look at voyeurism, sadism, and madness. It’s a gorgeous looking movie, shot with wonderful authority by Lynch, and still one of the most important movies ever made.
Eraserhead (1977)
Lynch’s feature film debut, and one of the most strange and bewildering films ever made. Eraserhead is a stunning visual journey, exploring the horror that lies within the basic, all-American family, but with a surrealist twist, naturally! This is definitely a polarising movie, which some people will simply find too strange or disturbing. For others, it’s the perfect debut and announced Lynch as the industry’s most interesting director.
Lynch continues to confound, enthrall, mesmerize, and befuddle audiences. His works are tantamount to masterpieces, and he is among the most stylistic, inventive, and unique filmmakers of all time. The man is one of the closest things we have to a modern auteur, and his works are profoundly important and interesting. If you have never seen a David Lynch movie, we recommend you start with these four.
