Just as beguiling and bewildering as it was in 1986, David Lynch’s twisted fairytale is Hansel and Gretel told by an opium-jazzed Freud. In a ’50s-aura’d ’80s of the director’s imagination, his inquisitive alter ego (Kyle MacLachlan) explores the sinister side of suburbia. Uncovering a kidnapping, he’s sucked into sadomasochism and the surreal, as Dennis Hopper’s loopier-than-a-hula-hoop killer shows him the darkness inside himself. The visuals are as plush as the title and the performances pierce the skin.
DVD Extras:
Lynch is notoriously shy of explaining his art, so it's no surprise he isn't involved in this disappointing package, save for old, time-of-release interview clips. Hopper contributes to a 30-minute Making Of, Strange Desires, recalling the auteur's gee-whizz demeanour on set ("Sort of like a Boy Scout leader") and how his character was originally intended to suck helium through the infamous mask.There's also a BBC review featurette (to which JG Ballard is the most distinguished contributor) and a trailer. But that's it. Over two discs. The widescreen transfer's welcome, but the US edition has a 70-minute documentary, stills gallery and deleted scenes montage. That this doesn't even have subtitles is an insult Frank couldn't match.
