Lost Highway (1997)

After a bizarre encounter at a party, a jazz saxophonist is framed for the murder of his wife and sent to prison, where he inexplicably morphs into a young mechanic and begins leading a new life.

Director:

David Lynch

Writers:

David Lynch, Barry Gifford

Stars:

Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, John Roselius

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Pullman	...	Fred Madison
Patricia Arquette	...	Renee Madison / Alice Wakefield
John Roselius	...	Al
Louis Eppolito	...	Ed (as Lou Eppolito)
Jenna Maetlind	...	Party Girl
Michael Massee	...	Andy
Robert Blake	...	Mystery Man
Henry Rollins	...	Guard Henry
Michael Shamus Wiles	...	Guard Mike
Mink Stole	...	Forewoman (voice)
Leonard Termo	...	Judge (voice)
Ivory Ocean	...	Guard Ivory
Jack Kehler	...	Guard Johnny Mack
David Byrd	...	Doctor Smordin
Gene Ross	...	Warden Clements

Storyline

Fred Madison, a saxophonist, is accused under mysterious circumstances of murdering his wife Renee. On death row, he inexplicably morphs into a young man named Pete Dayton, leading a completely different life. When Pete is released, his and Fred's paths begin to cross in a surreal, suspenseful web of intrigue, orchestrated by a shady gangster boss named Dick Laurent.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | videotape | detective | gangster | murder | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bizarre violent and sexual content, and for strong language

Details

Official Sites:

davidlynch.com [us]

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carretera perdida

Filming Locations:

803 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$212,710 (USA) (21 February 1997)

Gross:

$3,796,699 (USA) (18 April 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

October Films, CiBy 2000, Asymmetrical Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The interior shots of the so-called Lost Highway Hotel were filmed at the Amargosa Hotel in Death Valley, which is said to be haunted.

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Quotes

Fred Madison: Dick Laurent is dead...

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Crazy Credits

A Real Trooper-Guadalupe Hurst

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Connections

Spoofed in Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Eye"
Written by Billy Corgan
Produced and Mixed by Billy Corgan
Performed by Smashing Pumpkins
Recorded at Soundworks (Chicago)
Mixed at Chung King (New York)
Recording Engineer: Jeff Moleski
Mixing Engineer: Neil Perry
Technical Engineer: Tommy Lipnick
Assisted by J. Nicholas, G. Langis
© 1996 Chrysalis Songs/Cinderful Music (BMI)
The Smashing Pumpkins appear courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.

User Reviews

Weirdness overload!

I believe it was the legendary Homer Simpson who once gave the ideal description on David Lynch productions. During watching a ‘Twin Peaks'-episode he said, `Brilliant…but I don't get it'. Too true…you love what you're seeing and you want to be a part of the mysterious Lynch universe! You actually feel the urge to search for solutions, you want to solve the riddle that is Lost Highway and you desperately try to do so…until you realize it's in fact a puzzle that cannot be solved. Therefore, my advice would be: Don't try to be Einstein and develop too many ‘theories'… just get overwhelmed by Lost Highway and enjoy the mixture of weirdness, violence and erotica you get to see. It's amazing what David Lynch pulls off here! He serves an absurd and impossible structure that involves an inexplicable metamorphosis of the protagonist and he actually gets away with it!! Meanwhile, he introduces a bunch of bizarre – but extremely fascinating – characters of which you don't know they're real or just creations of a mentally ill mind. Lynch in top-condition, in other words…you almost start to suspect he's laughing with his audience. The quality of Lost Highway is brought up to an even higher level by the terrific musical score (Angelo Badalamenti), a blasting soundtrack (Rammstein!) and sublime acting. Bill Pullman and Balthazar Ghetty supply each other terrifically, even though they don't have ONE scene together. And Patricia Arquette…either blond or brunette… looks gorgeous. No wonder men in this film fall into madness over her.

Lost Highway comes with my highest possible recommendation, yet I still prefer the David Lynch of the lat 70's and 80's. Can't really give a reasonable explanation for this… Films like Blue Velvet and Eraserhead had something extra.