[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 el...