Film

Wild at Heart at the IFC Center

And the David Lynch Accessibility Scale

by Josh Kurp   |   Oct 18, 2010

Wild at Heart at the IFC Center

Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern in Wild at Heart (Photo: cinemeccanica.files.wordpress.com)

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As far as David Lynch films go, Wild at Heart is rather accessible (see below). Based on Barry Gifford’s novel, Wild at Heart: The Story of Sailor and Lula, the movie stars Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern as a young couple running away from Dern’s mother, played by Diane Ladd, who tries to have Cage killed (it’s as if she knew he’d make Bangkok Dangerous…).

If there’s anything you don’t understand about the film, though, there’s someone appearing tonight at the IFC Center that might help clear things up: Gifford himself. In honor of the film’s 20th anniversary, IFC is screening Wild at Heart, followed by a discussion and book signing from Gifford.

For more information about the 8 p.m. screening/signing, please click here.

Everyone knows David Lynch, but most haven’t seen his films. So what do you do when someone asks for a suggestion as to which one to begin with? Below is the David Lynch Accessibility Scale, based not on the film’s quality, but rather on how “odd” the film is, beginning with the easiest one for a newbie to handle.

The Straight Story (1999)
It’s about a old man riding a lawnmower. Nothing too complicated there

The Elephant Man (1980)
You’ll cry your eyes out at Lynch’s best film, but at least it’s easy to understand.

Wild at Heart (1990)
It still makes more sense than Ghost Rider, also starring Nicolas Cage

Blue Velvet (1986)
Just don’t show it to anyone who drinks Heinekens…

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Helps if you’ve seen Twin Peaks, but even if you haven’t, it’s still more accessible than anything below.

Mulholland Drive (2001)
Can anyone explain the ending to me? Please.

Lost Highway (1997)
More boring than anything else.

Inland Empire (2006)
As good as it is not confusing, which is to say it’s neither.

Dune (1984)
Who thought Lynch directing a sci-fi epic would be a good idea?

Eraserhead (1977)
Unless deformed babies are your film companion’s cup of tea, I’d save this for last