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Eraserhead (1977)
Director: David Lynch
Cast overview: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart
Running time: 85 minutes
I knew this had a reputation as a bizarre film before watching it but never did I imagine that it's that bizarre. After the first five minutes, I felt like I was on some heavy hallucinogenic drug and by the end I felt completely addled. In all honesty, I don't know what kept me watching. A burning desire to finish it and sheer intrigue, it must have been, because there was little in the way of storyline to keep me occupied.
It may sound like I'm being overly critical, but I'm not. The film is certainly intriguing and original, I don't think that can be doubted, but I think as a film in the conventional sense it's just too off-the-wall to prolong interest over its running length through interest about the plot. Well, that's come out all garbled, but basically I think it's interesting as a concept but I'm not overly fond of it as a film. That's not a criticism as it would normally be, as I did sort of enjoy it - I just found it jarring.
That said, Jack Nance is terrific as Henry Spencer, and that hair is fantastic. His performance is spaced out, confused and distant, yet it fits so well with the film as a whole. The imagery is striking, and the music serves as a great accompaniment.
Overall, a very odd film that still manages to be interesting. Despite this, it's not something I can see myself watching on a regular basis, or as a light Sunday afternoon watch. It's certainly not a film for everyone, and I don't think Lynch intended it to be.
Quotes
Mary X: You wouldn't mind marrying me, would you Henry?
Henry Spencer: Well... No.
Henry Spencer: So I just, uh... I just cut them up like regular chickens?
Mr. X: Sure, just cut them up like regular chickens.
[first lines]
Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: Are you Henry?
Henry Spencer: Yes?
Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: A girl named "Mary" called on the payphone in the hallway about an hour ago. She said that she's at her parents and that you're invited to dinner.
Henry Spencer: Oh, yeah?
[after a long pause]
Henry Spencer: Well... thank you very much.
[Henry enters his apartment, while the girl slowly closes the door to hers]
Trivia
Stanley Kubrick made the cast of The Shining (1980) watch this film (among others) to get in the mood for filming a horror picture.
When production on the film took longer then expected, David Lynch had to sleep in the same room used as Henry's bedroom for over a year.
The film's star, Jack Nance never knew, nor cared, exactly what Eraserhead meant. In an interview with the Twin Peaks (1990) fanzine Wrapped in Plastic, Nance said: "You guys get way too deep over this business. I don't take it all that seriously. It's only a movie."
Trailer
Director: David Lynch
Cast overview: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart
Running time: 85 minutes
I knew this had a reputation as a bizarre film before watching it but never did I imagine that it's that bizarre. After the first five minutes, I felt like I was on some heavy hallucinogenic drug and by the end I felt completely addled. In all honesty, I don't know what kept me watching. A burning desire to finish it and sheer intrigue, it must have been, because there was little in the way of storyline to keep me occupied.
It may sound like I'm being overly critical, but I'm not. The film is certainly intriguing and original, I don't think that can be doubted, but I think as a film in the conventional sense it's just too off-the-wall to prolong interest over its running length through interest about the plot. Well, that's come out all garbled, but basically I think it's interesting as a concept but I'm not overly fond of it as a film. That's not a criticism as it would normally be, as I did sort of enjoy it - I just found it jarring.
That said, Jack Nance is terrific as Henry Spencer, and that hair is fantastic. His performance is spaced out, confused and distant, yet it fits so well with the film as a whole. The imagery is striking, and the music serves as a great accompaniment.
Overall, a very odd film that still manages to be interesting. Despite this, it's not something I can see myself watching on a regular basis, or as a light Sunday afternoon watch. It's certainly not a film for everyone, and I don't think Lynch intended it to be.
Quotes
Mary X: You wouldn't mind marrying me, would you Henry?
Henry Spencer: Well... No.
Henry Spencer: So I just, uh... I just cut them up like regular chickens?
Mr. X: Sure, just cut them up like regular chickens.
[first lines]
Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: Are you Henry?
Henry Spencer: Yes?
Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: A girl named "Mary" called on the payphone in the hallway about an hour ago. She said that she's at her parents and that you're invited to dinner.
Henry Spencer: Oh, yeah?
[after a long pause]
Henry Spencer: Well... thank you very much.
[Henry enters his apartment, while the girl slowly closes the door to hers]
Trivia
Stanley Kubrick made the cast of The Shining (1980) watch this film (among others) to get in the mood for filming a horror picture.
When production on the film took longer then expected, David Lynch had to sleep in the same room used as Henry's bedroom for over a year.
The film's star, Jack Nance never knew, nor cared, exactly what Eraserhead meant. In an interview with the Twin Peaks (1990) fanzine Wrapped in Plastic, Nance said: "You guys get way too deep over this business. I don't take it all that seriously. It's only a movie."
Trailer