It’s the end of an era. David Lynch, beloved film director, painter, writer, designer and musician, passed away in his daughter’s Los Angeles home on Jan. 15th. The mark Lynch has left on the film landscape and popular culture as a whole is indelible. An entirely new word (Lynchian) has been coined to describe the singular qualities possessed by his works. Almost anyone with an interest in movies has surely encountered him in their cinematic journey. We miss David Lynch and are endlessly grateful for all that he gave us in his 78 years of life.

While Lynch’s filmography — which includes feature films, television series and shorter, independent works — is surprisingly small, it can be intimidating for newcomers. Lynch’s works have a reputation for being uniquely surreal and dreamlike. Hokey Americana and moral earnestness exist alongside otherworldly logic and nightmarish imagery. For those not sure where to start or simply wanting to discover the wonderful world of David Lynch, we present this short guide.

“Blue Velvet” (1986)

Perhaps the great Lynch Ur-text, “Blue Velvet” contains all the imagery, themes and preoccupations that define his style while being coherent enough plot and symbol-wise for anyone to follow. It was hated by critics upon release but is now considered among Lynch’s best.

“Blue Velvet” is a mystery thriller that tells the story of a young college student (Kyle MacLachlan, a Lynch mainstay) who discovers the darkness lurking in his idyllic-seeming hometown. Viewers should be warned about violence and sexual content. However, anyone able to handle such depictions is in store for a deeply sympathetic and even beautiful experience.

“Mulholland Drive” (2001)

This is it. “Mulholland Drive” is considered by many to be not just David Lynch’s best film but one of the best films of all time. It came in at a whopping #8 on the 2022 Sight and Sound Greatest Films of all Time list. If you love the dark, mysterious and, at times, surreal aspects of “Blue Velvet,” check this one out next.

Originally conceived as a TV pilot, it feels pointless to summarize the premise of this film. It is set in Los Angeles and follows an aspiring actress (Naomi Watts), among other characters. Don’t go in expecting a straightforward movie experience; instead try to relish in the texture of the images and sincerity of the emotions. Rarely has the term “movie magic” been so apt.

“Twin Peaks Pilot” (1990)

Perhaps you like some of what you saw in “Blue Velvet,” but not everything clicked together for you. Perhaps you were into the aesthetic but some of the more outlandish elements were a turn-off. As an alternative, may I present “Northwest Passage,” the 94-minute pilot episode of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s beloved series “Twin Peaks.”

The show is set in the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Twin Peaks. Broadly speaking, it follows the efforts of Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and other characters as they investigate the murder of high schooler Laura Palmer. The show’s pilot, which caught America by storm, encapsulates everything that’s great about the show. It’s a perfect merging of soap opera aesthetics with Lynch’s dark yet heartfelt sensibilities, all infused with a quirky sense of humor. If you like what you see, then congrats. You’re in for one of the greatest shows of all time, particularly the third season, released 25 years after Twin Peaks’ original run.

“Inland Empire” (2006)

Lynch’s final film proper is also his most nightmarish, most abrasive and longest. Shot entirely on handheld video cameras, this film is even more indescribable than its predecessors. If you love “Mulholland Drive” and want to wade even further into the deep end, this is a must-see.

Never before has video been used so well and so presciently as in “Inland Empire.” It is a film that seems to prefigure so much of our current digital moment, crystallizing an emerging aesthetic and influencing so much to come. In a world where everything is recorded, there is much horror, but also much hope. If you’re not ready for this three-hour experimental fever dream, try “Lost Highway” (1997) first.

“The Straight Story” (1999)

If you’ve made it this far and nothing suggested has spoken to you, check out “The Straight Story,” Lynch’s surprisingly commercial road movie. It is a beautiful story about family and the beauty of the American Midwest.

“The Straight Story” is based on the true story of a man who rode a lawnmower across Iowa and Wisconsin to visit his sick brother. The film, the most straightforward in Lynch’s oeuvre, showcases the range of his talent as a storyteller and visual formalist. It features several great performances, including New Hollywood darling Sissy Spacek. Watch this one with your loved ones, and hold them close while doing so.

In addition to these picks, David Lynch blessed the world with many other films and audiovisual works, which are yours to discover. His legacy of uncompromising vision will continue to bless filmgoers for generations to come. Until we meet again, David.

s.loveland@dailyutahchronicle.com

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