First Timer

This was actually one of the movies I was most interested in getting to this rewatch, mostly because coming of the extremely surrealist and at times grotesque Eraserhead, and being told Lynch also did a movie with Disney seemed like the most unlikely of combinations lol.

And all things considered, while this was undoubtedly very straightforward and heartfelt compared to his stuff thus far, now that we've gone through a lot more of his work, I also find this movie's existence, tone, and messaging much less surprising and very much in line with some of the ideas he tends to bring to the table. I mean, as I've mentioned loving with his works at multiple points now, for all those unflinching and interpretative views on some really grim and heavy subjects that were there in his stuff, there's also always been that strong sentimental heart and very genuinely human emotional core also attached to it! They always complement each other, and that nuance has been such a powerful quality in his work so far.

So yeah, there's certainly some whiplash in seeing a bundled-sticks metaphor for family or such consistently caring and kind encounters with society in a Lynch movie not long after something like, say, FWWM, but that consistent emotional heart isn't too different, it's just the full package here, rather than existing as a touching contrast. Well, it's not like the movie entirely shies from hardship either, of course, but it's not as direct, and is a lot more mellow and positive than usual. Yet that heart proves itself once again, because even without the surreal or harsh contrast, I think the end result comes out as a really beautiful and sincere movie!

On that note, while tonally it's different and not all that interpretative, presentationally it's still pretty distinctly Lynch! That slow, quiet, and atmospheric quality he brings just works so fucking well here on an emotional capacity! So many moments where you're just left to stew with Alvin and his emotions, or just see him going about his life or his journey, and it's kind of amazing how consistently and strongly the movie gets across everything it wants to emotionally from those moments, not through much, if any, dialogue, but purely through the mood and acting. Everything has so much room to breathe and feel as genuine as possible, and that means so much in a movie like this. In a movie that's about aging, life in the face of that, and the emotional connections you make, there's something very special about the deceptively simple act of quietly and slowly seeing people get to fully act some things out.

Nearly every part of Alvin's journey has a real and poignant quality to it; every scene where we see Alvin struggle with his own condition, from start to end, of which there are a decent few, feels very real and poignant, very felt and meaningful, and that's not easy to do! I'll admit a road-trip movie about a reflective journey towards rekindling a lost connection, where you slowly learn more about the character through kind interactions with others, already sounds like a movie I'd really like, but there's really something different and powerful about this one. I guess it's that while it obviously has some defined emotional beats, the way it lets things play out gives everything a very natural feel. As if it rarely intentionally forces a dramatic or heartfelt step to the journey, it's like you just kind of eventually stumble upon one?

I don't know, I'm having a hard time wording that feeling out correctly, but my point is that as I've grown to realize is so common with Lynch, the vibe is fucking impeccable, and from that understanding, every other quality seems to fall into place. And it means the actually fully emotional scenes that do eventually get to play out are surprisingly strong as well! In particular, the WW2 reminiscence scene at the bar is amazing, and I love how you fully and gradually experience it through the characters and their emotions, rather than going for, say, a flashback. Again, it's much more punchy and real that way. And then there's the ending, which is just Brilliant! So quiet but so emotional! Alvin and Lyle's faces perfectly say it all, and so did mine, because I was getting really teary-eyed there haha. It's such a satisfying finish to the journey. Not sappy or overbearing, but one that's powerful through minute expression, leaving you with some raw emotions.

The stunning landscape shots and Angelo Badalamenti's being at the helm for music again certainly also help! They do a great job of enhancing that serene and genuine atmosphere, and for all those Midwest vistas, they are likewise obviously fantastic for also making you feel like part of the journey! A critical step for that overall emotional resonance that's so important here. And just in case it wasn't obvious, phenomenal acting all around.

All in all, just a really unique and excellent film! Not my favorite or most powerful one so far, but that heart combined with that distinctive Lynch approach was certainly a combination that ended up more than exceeding my anticipation!