Blue Velvet (1986)
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92% of critics liked it
(38 reviews) -
87% of users liked it
(72,364 ratings)
Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery-thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence, corruption, drug abuse, crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont, a square-jawed young man who returns to his… More Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery-thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence, corruption, drug abuse, crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont, a square-jawed young man who returns to his picture-perfect small town when his father suffers a stroke. Walking through a field near his home, Jeff discovers a severed human ear, which he immediately brings to the police. Their disinterest sparks Jeff's curiosity, and he is soon drawn into a dangerous drama that's being played out by a lounge singer, Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) and the ether-addicted Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper). The sociopathic Booth has kidnapped Dorothy's young son and is using the child as a bargaining chip to repeatedly beat, humiliate and rape Dorothy. Though he's drawn to the virginal, wholesome Sandy Williams (Laura Dern), Jeff is also aroused by Dorothy and in trying to aid her, he discovers his dark side. As the film nears its conclusion, our hero learns that many more indivduals are tacitly involved with Frank, including a suave, lip-synching singer, Ben (Dean Stockwell), who is minding the kidnapped boy. Director Lynch explored many similar themes of the "disease" lying just under the surface of the small town, all-American faade in his later television series Twin Peaks (1990-91). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Lynch
- Written By
- David Lynch
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Sep 19, 1986 Wide
- Studio
- MGM
Critic Reviews
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It made me feel pity for the actors who worked in it and anger at the director for taking liberties with them.
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John Hartl, Film.com
Not quite like any other thriller or erotic mystery you've ever seen.
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Paul Attanasio, Washington Post
The movie doesn't progress or deepen, it just gets weirder, and to no good end.
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James Plath, Movie Metropolis
One which David Lynch fans will want to watch over and over in HD, and which non-fans ought to see at least once.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Works brilliantly as an allegory of American repression and willful illusion of order, Lumberton's forced-smile '50s sensibility unable to keep down the anarchic, raging id that is humanity's primal drive. [Blu-ray]
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Kyle MacLachlan
as Jeffrey Beaumont
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Isabella Rossellini
as Dorothy Vallens
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Dennis Hopper
as Frank Booth
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Laura Dern
as Sandy Williams
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Hope Lange
as Mrs. Williams
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Dean Stockwell
as Ben
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Brad Dourif
as Raymond
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Jack Nance
as Paul
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Frances Bay
as Aunt Barbara
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George Dickerson
as Detective Williams
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Jack Harvey
as Mr. Beaumont
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Priscilla Pointer
as Mrs. Beaumont
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Ken Stovitz
as Mike
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Peter Carew
as Coroner
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Moses Gibson
as Double Ed
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Dick Green
as Don Vallens
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J. Michael Hunter
as Hunter
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Kate Reid
as Party Girl
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Angelo Badalamenti
as Piano Player
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A. Michelle Depland
as Party Girl
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Philip Markert
as Dr. Gynde
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Donald Moore
as Desk Sergeant
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Fred Pickler
as Yellow Man Detective T.R. Gordon
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Michelle Sasser
as Party Girl
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Selden Smith
as Nurse Cindy
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Jon Jon Snipes
as Little Donny
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Jean Pierre Viale
as Master of Ceremonies
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Leonard Watkins
as Double Ed








