Blue Velvet, 9 1/2 Weeks and David Lynch

The same thing happened when I analysed two movies from 1986, 9 1/2 Weeks, directed by Adrian Lyne and Blue Velvet, written and directed by David Lynch: they were so disturbing that I had to stop them several times to look out the window at blue skies and clouds and other happy sights. The reason for this is that both these mainstream movies are pornographic. They degrade and demean women and promote violence against women. They also star big name actors, and 9 1/2 Weeks made a lot of money (over $100 million at the worldwide box office). 9 1/2 Weeks starred Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Blue Velvet starred Isabella Rossellini (Joy, 30 Rock) and also featured Dennis Hopper (Speed, Apocalypse Now) and Laura Dern (Jurassic Park, Wild). I'm going to go through my file of analysed movies and see what else came out in 1986. Hopefully I will find something positive in there to make me feel better about 1986, something to wash Blue Velvet and 9 1/2 Weeks out of my eyes. Unfortunately, you can't unsee things and only time makes them fade from memory. 

This isn't the first time something written by David Lynch has turned my stomach. Some attention has recently been paid, in the media, to his TV series, Twin Peaks (1990-1991), likely because it is now available on Netflix or being rerun on TV--I'm not sure which. I couldn't watch it when it came out, and it certainly hasn't aged well. I analysed it recently, and it was a chore to watch.

I read in a New York Times article[1] from 2012 that when 9 1/2 Weeks came out it was previewed by 1000 people in the United States. All but 40 walked out before the end, and of the 40 who filled out cards about it 35 said they hated it. It did very poorly in the U.S. but spectacularly internationally. As is the case for all movies that promote sadomasochism and the debasement of women I hated it. Blue Velvet is detestable for similar reasons.

I checked my files. Aliens, Stand By Me, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Labyrinth and Karate Kid II all came out in 1986, so some filmmakers were making something worth watching that year.         


[1] New York Times, Zalman King, creator of soft-core films, dies at 70, Feb. 8, 2012, Douglas Martin


 © 2017 Alline Cormier