Beyond the freak show

Caught this film again last night (on the Sundance Channel), after having seen it a few times in movie theatres back when it was first released. I'm a Lynch fan because at least with his films you know you're in for something provocative, and Blue Velvet certainly doesn't disappoint in that area.

As I mentioned, I hadn't seen the movie for a few years, and this time, rather than focusing so much on Hopper's over-the-top scene-stealing extravaganza of a performance, I found myself enjoying Kyle McLachlan's subtle and under-stated portrayal of Jeffrey, which is, in reality, the heart of the film.

Without Jeffrey to bridge the gap between the two worlds, "Blue Velvet" wouldn't exist, it would be just a freak show. It's this character - and specifically, his willingness to explore what's going on beneath the surface of things in his perversely Pollyanna-type town - that makes the film cohesive (ok, semi-cohesive) on any level, and McLachlan instinctively plays all his scenes with a brilliant, innate understanding of his character's position. I don't think he's gotten any credit for what he brings to this twisted equation, and it's high time (no pun intended) he got some.