Blue Velvet: Bloomsbury Pocket Movie Guide 3

by Charles Drazin

Bloomsbury Movie Guides are A to Z companions to some of the greatest, most memorable films ever made. The books feature scores of entries on all aspects of the making and meaning of movies, and include historic, cinematic, and literary references; profiles of the actors and directors; and interviews. Considered by many to be David Lynch's best film to date, Blue Velvet is certainly his most famous. Beneath its tranquil, beautifully filmed, small-town ambience, lies violence and depravity on a monstrous scale, and at its core is Dennis Hopper's chilling star-turn as Frank. Charles Drazin captures the film's elusive spirit.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Rowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it provides some interesting reflection on the intricacies of the film, in large part it's just really irritating listening to some Limey Public School toff* jaw on and on about how little he understands small town America. No shit. Insulting is his insistence that the film couldn't possibly reflect any reasonable reality. I defy him to live in small-town America for even six months and see if he comes out unaffected.

Certain pieces of information, for all the information collected, are incorrect (e.g., Sandy says Dorothy's apartment had once been under surveillance, yet Drazin is adamant that this is still going on), and there are several pointless, annoying interludes (for lack of a better term, as they have nothing to do with the point supposedly being made) where Drazin makes creaky analogies between his personal life and the film.

I did have a bit of a laugh at his earnest attempt to buy Pabst Blue Ribbon at Asda, Sainsbury's, and Tesco. It seems Drazin's ascot must have been tied a little too tight that day.

Anyway, I'm sure there are better books out there on the same subject. If not, there should be.

*He mentions his HIGH SCHOOL in the author bio? Jesus Christ.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good insights on the film alternate with some really tedious, pretentious twaddle about his personal life. On the whole, worth reading, though. Just skip the "people like Frank" entry.