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

In an interview with star Robert Loggia he said in his opinion the film very aptly titled, referring to how bizarre the story of Lost Highway is.

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Quotes

David Bowie: [singing] Funny how secrets travel...

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Crazy Credits

A Real Trooper-Guadalupe Hurst

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Connections

Referenced in Dead End (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Song To The Siren"
Written by Larry Beckett and Tim Buckley
Courtesy of Third Story Music Inc. (BMI)
Performed by This Mortal Coil
Courtesy of 4 A.D. by arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Stunning.

Lighting. That's the thing I remembered most from the first time I saw this film. Amazing lighting. Certain directors, Lynch included, are able to tell the story using camera movement, what's seen/not seen. Lynch, however, has taken that a step further with the way he chooses to light his scenes - he sculpts his shots in a manner that seems almost more like a theatrical lighting designer's work. The use of shadows within the home, the stark colors that accompany certain scenes, even the car lighting in the titles - all of this is used to draw the audience's attention to a certain point, and all of it thrills. With the terse, "European art-film" dialogue style (at first the most distancing thing I found in Lynch's work, it is now one of my favorite elements), sharp sound work, a strong cast, and the marvelous, spiralling structure of the film only reinforcing it's strongest feature - its atmosphere - this is a work that will be discussed long after the credits fade. In my short 22 years, the best film I've seen, bar none.