[Directors'] #52 Eraserhead (Lynch) at Del Mar Theatre
I'm not sure why one Sunday afternoon in January I wanted to watch Eraserhead (1977). David Lynch wasn't much part of my consciousness, beyond renting Mulholland Drive on DVD from Netflix back in college. Perhaps my interest was sparked by the recent media coverage of Lynch's passing. No matter. I knew exactly who to ask.
My friend Matthew noted that I probably wasn't going to like the film, but if I was going to watch it, I'd better turn the sound up. Way up.
Below is our text exchange during my initial viewing, which is not thoughtful or informed. But it takes me back to the feeling of seeing a piece of art I've grown to love for the first time.
- Me: "We are four seconds in and the sound is already scaring me. I also have a feeling this is low budget... based on David using a meatball as a planet."
- Matthew: "It's Lynch's first film. He spent five years and his own money making it. And, very early into the film, Henry gets into an elevator. What happens *immediately* after he steps into the elevator sets the tone for all of Lynch's best work for his entire career."
- Me: "I hate that sperm thing. I will have nightmares about the shape of that sperm thing."
- Matthew: "Hang in there, chief"
- Me: "'Immediately after he steps into the elevator,' you mean that awkward long pause when you're waiting for the thing to happen then it cuts to a wider shot?"
- Matthew:"YES"
- Me: "I liked that!!!!!!! What's also cool is the shadows his hair/profile make. Where do these ppl live? It's supposed to be a post-apocalyptic Detroit or something?"
- Matthew: "Lynch based it on his experience of Philadelphia."
- Me: "Oh, Jesus Christ. This 'baby.' Did he spend his whole budget on whatever that is?!"
- Matthew: "He steadfastly refused to explain how the baby was done. But he got carcasses from a shady veterinarian. I think it's literally a meat puppet."
- Me: "What I like about this is how homemade it looks. Sometimes movies are so slick that you forget that someone actually 'made' it."
- Matthew: "Does it add useful context if I tell you he wrote the script while his girlfriend was pregnant with his first child?"
- Me: "YES! He was scared to be a dad."
- Matthew: "Yes, I read it the same way. (Also perhaps afraid of small chickens.)"
- Me: "Oh, shit. The baby has smallpox."
- Matthew: "'Oh, you ARE sick!'"
- Me: "What on earth is this mashed potatoes face dancing? Now sperm are falling from the rafters."
- Matthew: "??? I don't recall mashed potatoes face dancing."
- Me: "What's the symbolism of this earthworm/sperm thing?"
- Matthew: "I think it's actually sperm. You must be getting close to my favorite scene, I think."
- Me: "She just said she locked herself out. This is def about sex."
- Matthew: "There should, in life, be more beds with pools in them that you can sink into with the sexy and mysterious neighbor across the hall."
- Me: "Not if your alien with smallpox is dying in the background though."
- Matthew: "Definitely a mood killer."
- Me: I'm going to watch more of this stuff. What's a good next one? Blue Velvet?"
I credit Eraserhead and Matthew with reigniting my obsession with film. Matthew, you have become my favorite movie pal, just where Weesner left off. Thank you.