Mulholland Dr. (2001)

Director:

David Lynch

Writer (WGA):

David Lynch (written by)

Release Date:

26 October 2001 (Canada)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Beware what you dream for...

Plot:

After a car wreck on the winding Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesic, she and a perky Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality.

Plot Keywords:

Dream | Amnesia | California | Car Accident | Los Angeles California

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 40 wins & 33 nominations

Cast

Naomi Watts	...	Betty Elms / Diane Selwyn
Laura Harring	...	Rita (as Laura Elena Harring)
Ann Miller	...	Catherine 'Coco' Lenoix
Dan Hedaya	...	Vincenzo Castigliane
Justin Theroux	...	Adam Kesher
Brent Briscoe	...	Detective Neal Domgaard
Robert Forster	...	Detective Harry McKnight
Katharine Towne	...	Cynthia Jenzen
Lee Grant	...	Louise Bonner
Scott Coffey	...	Wilkins
Billy Ray Cyrus	...	Gene
Chad Everett	...	Jimmy Katz
Rita Taggart	...	Linney James
James Karen	...	Wally Brown
Lori Heuring	...	Lorraine Kesher
Angelo Badalamenti	...	Luigi Castigliani
Michael Des Barres	...	Billy Deznutz
Marcus Graham	...	Vincent Darby
Missy Crider	...	Waitress at Winkies (Diane / Betty) (as Melissa Crider)
Robert Katims	...	Ray Hott
Jeanne Bates	...	Irene
Dan Birnbaum	...	Irene's Companion at Airport
Randall Wulff	...	Limo Driver (as Scott Wulff)
Maya Bond	...	Ruth Elms
Patrick Fischler	...	Dan
Michael Cooke	...	Herb
Bonnie Aarons	...	Bum
Michael J. Anderson	...	Mr. Roque
Joseph Kearney	...	Roque's Manservant
Enrique Buelna	...	Back of Head Man
Richard Mead	...	Hairy-Armed Man
Sean Everett	...	Cab Driver at LAX (as Sean E. Markland)
Daniel Rey	...	Valet Attendant
David Schroeder	...	Robert Smith
Tom Morris	...	Espresso Man
Melissa George	...	Camilla Rhodes
Mo Gallini	...	Castigliane Limo Driver (as Matt Gallini)
Mark Pellegrino	...	Joe Messing
Vincent Castellanos	...	Ed
Diane Nelson	...	Heavy-Set Woman killed By Messing
Charles Croughwell	...	Vacuum Man killed By Messing (as Charlie Croughwell)
Rena Riffel	...	Laney
Tad Horino	...	Taka
Tony Longo	...	Kenny
Geno Silva	...	Cookie Park Hotel Manager / Club Silencio M.C.
Monty Montgomery	...	Cowboy (as Lafayette Montgomery)
Kate Forster	...	Martha Johnson
Wayne Grace	...	Bob Brooker
Michele Hicks	...	Nicki Pelazza
Lisa K. Ferguson	...	Julie Chadwick (as Lisa Ferguson)
William Ostrander	...	2nd Assistant Director
Elizabeth Lackey	...	Carol
Brian Beacock	...	Backup Singer #1
Blake Lindsley	...	Backup Singer #2
Adrien Curry	...	Backup Singer #3
Tyrah M. Lindsey	...	Backup Singer #4
Michael D. Weatherred	...	Hank (as Michael Weatherred)
Michael Fairman	...	Jason
Johanna Stein	...	Woman in #12
Richard Green	...	Bondar
Conte Candoli	...	Club Silencio Trumpet Player (as Conti Condoli)
Cori Glazer	...	Blue-Haired Lady in balcony seat at Club Silencio
Rebekah Del Rio	...	Herself
Lyssie Powell	...	Blond in Bed (Corpse) in #17
Kimberly Clever	...	Dancer
Joshua Collazo	...	Dancer
David Frutos	...	Dancer
Peter Loggins	...	Dancer
Theresa Salazar	...	Dancer
Thea Samuels	...	Dancer
Christian Thompson	...	Dancer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jehshua Barnes	...	Young Actor (uncredited)
Elina Madison	...	Starlet (uncredited)
Marc Kenneth Robinson	...	Police officer (uncredited)
Samantha Schacher	...	Teenager (uncredited)
Desi Singh	...	First Cab Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
David Lynch

Writing credits (WGA)
David Lynch		(written by)

Produced by
Pierre Edelman	....	executive producer
Neal Edelstein	....	producer
Joyce Eliason	....	co-producer
Tony Krantz	....	producer
Michael Polaire	....	producer
Alain Sarde	....	producer
Mary Sweeney	....	producer
John Wentworth	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Angelo Badalamenti

Cinematography by
Peter Deming

Film Editing by
Mary Sweeney

Casting by
Johanna Ray

Production Design by
Jack Fisk

Art Direction by
Peter Jamison

Set Decoration by
Barbara Haberecht

Costume Design by
Amy Stofsky

Makeup Department
Howard Berger	....	special makeup effects artist
Martin Christopher	....	additional makeup artist
Selina Jayne	....	key makeup artist
Patricia Miller	....	key hair stylist (as Patty Miller)
Gregory Nicotero	....	special makeup effects artist (as Greg Nicotero)
Emjay Olson	....	hair department head: additional photography shoot
Julie Pearce	....	makeup department head
Katherine Rees	....	hair stylist
Malanie J. Romero	....	assistant makeup artist (as Malanie Romero)
Randy Westgate	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Julie M. Anderson	....	production supervisor
Spike Allison Hooper	....	post-production supervisor
Michael Polaire	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Scott Cameron	....	first assistant director
John T. Churchill	....	second assistant director
Mark Cotone	....	first assistant director
David Fudge	....	second assistant director
Michael Risoli	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Wade Bailey	....	painter
Alan Baptiste	....	set dresser
Earl Benton	....	paint foreman
Paul Blizzard	....	propmaker
Ken Booker	....	set dresser
Kinney Booker	....	set dresser
Tony Bridgers	....	propmaker
Patrick Butcher	....	propmaker
David T. Cannon	....	propmaker foreman (as Dave Cannon)
Johnny D. Culley	....	assistant property master
James N. Delaplane	....	head paint foreman (as James Delaplane)
Laura J. DeRosa	....	construction buyer
Joe Elvington	....	labor foreman
William Ermi	....	painter
Sean Everett	....	property master (as Sean E. Markland)
Mariano Fernández	....	propmaker
Chris Fielding	....	set dresser
Josh Fifarek	....	set designer
Jake Funk	....	painter (as Jon Jacob Funk)
Steve A. Hagberg	....	construction coordinator (as Steve Hagberg)
Hugh Hanna	....	foreman
Scott Herbertson	....	set designer
Peter Jehle	....	propmaker
Mauricio Jimenez	....	propmaker
Gene Kelly	....	propmaker
Steven Kerlagon	....	head paint foreman (as Steve Kerlagon)
Thomas D. Krausz	....	construction foreman
David Lawrence	....	labor foreman
Randlett King Lawrence	....	general foreman (as Randy Lawrence)
Kimberly Leonard	....	set dresser
David B. Long	....	propmaker gang boss (as David Long)
Jonathan Melvoin	....	propmaker (as Jon Melvoin)
Troy Parker	....	propmaker
Steve Powell	....	propmaker
Ric Rawlins	....	painter (as Rick Rawlins)
Michael Robinson	....	propmaker
Keith Sale	....	set dresser
Jerry Schultz	....	propmaker/gangboss
Chad Simpson	....	paint foreman
Donald Spencer	....	propmaker
Samuel J. Tell	....	set dresser (as Sammy Tell)
Thomas Traugott	....	lead man
Bobby L. Vaughn	....	toolman (as Bobby Vaughn)
Josh Webb	....	set dresser
Robert N. Williams	....	propmaker (as Robert Williams)
Rebecca Young	....	art department coordinator
Todd Young	....	construction coordinator
Shane Buckallew	....	lead plaster foreman (uncredited)
Jon Neill	....	props: Prop & Custom Inc. (uncredited)
Jim Wallis	....	set designer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Bryan Arenas	....	second re-recording engineer
Susan Cahill	....	adr recordist (as Susan Gamsaragan)
Paul Timothy Carden	....	adr supervisor (as Paul Carden)
Paul Timothy Carden	....	foley editor (as Paul Carden)
Ronald Eng	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Ron Eng)
Ronald Eng	....	supervising sound editor (as Ron Eng)
Alan Freedman	....	adr mixer
Patrick Giraudi	....	dialogue predub mixer
Patrick Giraudi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mark Gordon	....	dialogue editor
Randall Guth	....	assistant sound editor (as Randy Guth)
Daniel S. Irwin	....	dialogue editor (as Daniel Irwin)
Kevin Kubota	....	boom operator
David Lynch	....	sound designer
David Lynch	....	sound re-recording mixer
William Munroe	....	additional boom operator
John Neff	....	sound re-recording mixer
Ed Novick	....	production sound mixer (as Edward Novick)
Rocky Quiroz	....	utility sound person
Susumu Tokunow	....	production sound mixer
James Wright	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby (as James E. Wright)
Jirí Zobac	....	sound engineer
James Bailey	....	foley artist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Philip Bartko	....	special effects foreman
Jason Collins	....	set supervisor: KNB Effects Group
Gary D'Amico	....	special effects coordinator
David Domeyer	....	special effects foreman
Chiz Hasegawa	....	coordinator: KNB EFX Group

Visual Effects by
Minky Billups	....	visual effects compositor
Scott Billups	....	visual effects supervisor
David M. Blum	....	digital artist
Rice Casenas	....	digital artist
Tim Cutt	....	digital artist
Adam Hawkey	....	digital artist (as Adam S. Hawkey)
Jeff McLean	....	digital artist
Jon Merrifield	....	digital artist
Christopher Grandel	....	trailer digital effects, Howard Anderson Company (uncredited)

Stunts
Brian Avery	....	stunts
Joni Avery	....	stunts
Jack Carpenter	....	stunts
Laura Lee Connery	....	stunt double: Lorraine
Charles Croughwell	....	stunt coordinator (as Charlie Croughwell)
Corey Michael Eubanks	....	stunts (as Corey Eubanks)
Jeremy Fitzgerald	....	stunts
Samuel Le	....	stunts
Janie Liszewski	....	stunts (as Jamie Liszewski)
Billy Morts	....	stunts
Gail Luane Munian	....	stunts
Denney Pierce	....	stunt double: Adam
Dana Reed	....	stunts
Scott Sproule	....	stunts
Sonny Tipton	....	stunts
Ryan Wilder	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Matthew J. Barden	....	grip
Arthur Brandenberg	....	grip
Cynthia Bystrak	....	best boy grip
Bruce Carothers	....	grip
Tim Collins	....	best boy grip
Lisa K. Ferguson	....	second assistant camera (as Lisa Ferguson)
Tommy 'Hooper' Flanagan	....	grip (as Tom Flanagan)
Todd Griffith	....	grip
Lisa Guerriero	....	additional second assistant camera
Allan Heindl	....	grip
Rick Herres	....	rigging key grip (as Richard Herres)
William H. Hobson	....	dolly grip (as William Hobson)
Michael Hoffer	....	key grip
Paul Hughen	....	camera operator
Dan Kneece	....	Steadicam operator
Dennis M. Kuneff	....	rigging best boy (as Dennis Kuneff)
Michael LaViolette	....	chief lighting technician
Ken Longballa	....	lighting technician
Steve Man	....	Steadicam first assistant camera
Steven Mann	....	Steadicam assistant
Trip Morey III	....	camera loader (as Trip Morey)
Melissa Moseley	....	still photographer
Rafael Peregrina	....	grip
Scott Andrew Ressler	....	first assistant camera
Mark Sadler	....	lighting technician
Eric Sandlin	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Pablo Santiago-Brandwein	....	grip (as Pablo Santiago)
David Schmalz	....	video assist operator
Philip Sloan	....	key grip (as Phillip Sloan)
Cliff Sperry	....	dolly grip
Penny Sprague	....	additional first assistant camera
George Sugar	....	lighting technician
Mark Vollmer	....	grip
Paul Wilkowsky	....	grip
David Wexler	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Mary Jane Fendler	....	casting associate
Chris Gray	....	extras casting
Jessica Vogl	....	casting assistant
Vivienne Williamson	....	extras casting assistant (as Vivienne MacLeod-Williamson)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lucinda Campbell	....	costume supervisor
Daniel Dirks	....	costumer (as Dan Dirks)
Courtney Fowles	....	costumer
Bethany Gauthier	....	costumer
Cheri Reed	....	costume supervisor
Durinda Wood	....	additional costume designer

Editorial Department
Arash Ayrom	....	first assistant editor
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Chris Jacobson	....	colorist
Brian Johnson	....	associate editor
Christine Kim	....	second assistant editor
Mato	....	color timer
Hilary Schroeder	....	first assistant editor
Richard Schwartz	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Angelo Badalamenti	....	conductor
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra	....	orchestra
Tanja Crouch	....	music licensing
Stepán Konícek	....	conductor: Prague (as Stepan Konicek)
David Lynch	....	composer: additional music
John Neff	....	composer: additional music
John Neff	....	music editor
Bill Post	....	composer: additional music
Doree Post	....	composer: additional music

Transportation Department
Steven Birds	....	driver (as Steve Birds)
Stephan Brooks	....	driver
Lonnie Craig	....	driver
Edith Ewing	....	driver
Mickey Guinn	....	driver
Christian Hagele	....	driver
Larry Hardman	....	driver
Marlo Hellerstein	....	transportation captain
John Jarvis	....	driver
Peter Mandel	....	driver (as Pete Mandel)
Lawrence Markham	....	driver
Vern McKinney	....	driver
James A. Murphy	....	driver (as Jim Murphy)
Russel Overstreet	....	driver (as Russell Overstreet)
Michael Ralph Price	....	driver (as Mike Price)
Richard Reedy	....	driver
Mike Riportella	....	transportation captain
Lowell D. Smith	....	driver (as Lowell Smith)
Paul Stanbrough	....	driver
Mike Stevens	....	driver
Danny L. Swanson	....	driver (as Dan Swanson)
David Teasley	....	driver (as Dave Teasley)
Allan Yamauchi	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Hilary Adahms	....	stand-in: Ms. Watts (as Hilary Adams)
Joe Basile	....	set production assistant
Angela Bright	....	intern
Luis Brito	....	catering chef
John T. Churchill	....	on-set assistant: David Lynch (as John Churchill)
Sean Coffey	....	apprentice
Hugo Cortez	....	assistant chef
Erik Crary	....	assistant: Mary Sweeney and Neal Edelstein
John Daud	....	location production assistant
Julie Duvic	....	location manager
Robb Earnest	....	production coordinator
Rachel Florian	....	production assistant
Rachael Lin Gallaghan	....	production assistant
Cori Glazer	....	script supervisor
Joe Hanna	....	catering chef
Patrick G. Ingram	....	set medic
Jay Johnson	....	title designer: main titles
Jay Johnson	....	main title design
Damiana Kamishin	....	production assistant
Susan Kong	....	assistant accountant
Kristi Lake	....	production executive
Paxon Malloy	....	set production assistant
Steve Marques	....	payroll services
Holly McGovern	....	assistant: Mary Sweeney and Neal Edelstein
Tom McGuire	....	production consultant
David McKimmie	....	production coordinator
Jill Meyers	....	additional legal consultant
Jessica Milhollin	....	production secretary
Christopher Miller	....	location manager
Dan Muscarella	....	technical services
Azalia O'Neal	....	set medic
Gaye Pope	....	executive assistant: David Lynch
Jean Quay	....	set medic
Racer Rangel	....	key set production assistant
Robin Ritter	....	stand-in: Ms. Harring
Jim Roberts	....	set medic
Jason Scheunemann	....	on-set assistant: David Lynch
Sharlene D. Simmons	....	craft service (as Sharlene Simmons)
Mike Sudrow	....	weapons specialist
Damon Tinker	....	production assistant
Mic Tomasi	....	stand-in: Mr. Theroux (as Mick Tomasi)
Doug Towne	....	production accountant
Grant Tucker	....	assistant accountant
Carson Turner	....	assistant location manager
Joshua Vancil	....	production assistant
Maury Wray	....	assistant: Michael Polaire
Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc	....	aerial coordinator
Nathalie Radovic	....	assistant to producer (uncredited)

Thanks
Barbara Orbison	....	special thanks
Jennifer Syme	....	dedicatee

Production Companies

• Les Films Alain Sarde
• Asymmetrical Productions
• Babbo Inc.
• Canal+
• The Picture Factory (original version)

Distributors

• Bac Films (2001) (France) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (2001) (USA) (theatrical)
• StudioCanal (2003) (France) (DVD)
• 01 Distribuzione (2001) (Italy) (theatrical)
• A-Film Distribution (2002) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (2002) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Cinema Mondo (2002) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Concorde Filmverleih (2002) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Frenetic Films (2001) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Kulturföreningen Kedjan (2002) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• TVA Films (2001) (Canada) (theatrical)
• TVA International (2001) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Triangelfilm (2002) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (video)
• Concorde Home Entertainment (Germany) (DVD) (retail)
• EuroVideo (Germany) (DVD) (rental)
• Europa Filmes (Brazil) (DVD)
• Europa Filmes (Brazil) (VHS)
• Europafilm AS (Norway)
• Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2009) (United Arab Emirates) (DVD) (Middle East)
• Leader Music (2012) (Argentina) (DVD) (as Leader Vision)
• Nelonen (2007) (2008) (Finland) (TV)
• Optimum Releasing (2007) (UK) (DVD)
• Optimum Releasing (2007) (UK) (DVD) (HD DVD)
• Pan Vision Oy (2003) (Finland) (VHS) (DVD)
• Pan Vision (2009) (Norway) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Pan Vision (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Pan Vision (2009) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Pathé Distribution (UK)
• Prooptiki (Greece)
• Roadshow Entertainment (Australia)
• Sandrews (2003) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Starmax (2002) (South Korea) (DVD)
• StudioCanal (2010) (France) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2003) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2003) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Triangelfilm
• United King Films
• Vértigo Films (Spain)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2010) (2011) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Catalyst FX (additional visual effects)
• Electric Sandbox Productions (visual effects)
• K.N.B. Effects Group (make-up effects)

Other Companies

• Axium Payroll Services  payroll services
• Barrandov Studios  music recording facility
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Digital Sound and Picture  adr recording facilities
• Direct Tools & Fasteners  expendables
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Hollywood Caterers  catering
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Sessions Payroll Management  extras payroll services
• Smécky Studios  music recording facility (as Studio Smecky)

Also Known As:

"Mulholland Drive" - France, UK, USA (closing credits title)
"Mulholland Drive" - Israel (English title), Japan (English title) (imdb display title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some strong sexuality

Runtime:

147 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KNT | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Germany:16 | Ireland:15 | Israel:16 (TV rating) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #37982) | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Iceland:16 | Italy:T | Brazil:16 | Chile:18 | Peru:18

Filming Locations:

387 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Les Films Alain Sarde

Trivia:

Although commonly mistaken for "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Jan Vermeer, the painting inside the apartment of Betty's aunt is actually a painting by Guido Reni entitled "Beatrice Cenci".

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the shot of the dark colored car with the two men in suits driving by the apartment complex right before Betty Elms leaves for her audition (1:13:23), for a moment the top of the camera is reflected in the bottom part of the car's rear window.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Rita:What are you doing? We don't stop here.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Sixteen Reasons

Mulholland Drive - Lynch's cinematic art - reality vs. fantasy

Lynch loves to realistically portray logical sequences interspersed by fantasy diversions, which entrances but confuses the viewer. Blue Velvet is his best film, and works well because of its overall logical coherency spiced up by fantastic deviations from the norm (the fantasy element of the film). This technique reminds me of Fellini's 8 1/2, where fantasy was often interspersed with a logical and coherent plot.

Mulholland Drive starts off logically but then gradually abandons logical coherence as dream-like (but realistically presented) sequences are brought into the plot. Then there is a shift in the plot, from the fantasy of the first part, to the reality of the second part where roles and identities are reversed and reality reigns.

Lynch's genius is in his artistic slight of hand where he presents a fantasy scene realistically, sucking the viewer in to expecting a meaningful depiction, then upending these expectations in shocking the viewer with the fantastic elements of the scene. I can imagine Lynch laughing in the background as he plays his joke on the viewer.

The film Holy Motors presents pure fantasy in nonsensical and unrelated sequences, and is bad art. Mulholland Drive has enough organization and structure, with more skillfully accomplished fantasy, to qualify it as good art.

Naomi Watts gives us an outstanding performance - better than the typical "Best Actress" Oscar award winner's performance in the last 20 years. Watts usually gets roles that don't allow her to display her considerable acting skills, but this role does, and she more than meets the challenge.

The plot is secondary for Lynch since cinematic art is his focus. However, the movie is totally baffling unless you have some guidelines. Basically Mulholland drive is the story of a young girl who comes to Hollywood with high hopes of becoming an actress. The film is told in two parts. My interpretation is that the first (Watts as Betty) part is psychotic delusions of the young girl as she reconstructs her past leading up to the promise of a brilliant acting career. This is presented as reality and the viewer has no idea it is false. The shift to the second (Watts as Diane) part shows some shifting of roles, and depicts the true story whereby the young girl fails to become an major actress. Her identity is valid, as Diane, in the second part showing her dismal failure, while Rita of the first delusional part becomes Camilla in the second reality part.

Naomi Watts thus plays two roles with different identities, in part one and in part two. The two parts are cued by the change in her name from the delusional Betty (part I) to the real Diane (part II). In a clever signal of this personality change, the waitress at Winkie's is named Diane when Betty and Rita go to eat there in the first fantasy part, while this same waitress becomes Betty when Watts as Diane goes to Winkie's in the real second part.

The plot shift from fantasy to reality mirrors the high hopes and aspirations as fantasy (Part I as Betty) and dismal failure as reality (Part II as Diane), that happens so often as young would-be performers seek fame in Hollywood but end up as failures.