r/davidlynch

In your opinion what is the single crowning achievement of Lynch's career. For me there are a few major contenders: Twin Peaks Original Series, Fire Walk With Me, Twin Peaks: The Return, Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire.

Inland Empire has some of Lynch's greatest moments, ideas and puts together a lot his most fascinating themes but it doesn't necessarily have the strongest characters compared to his other work (despite the amazing acting). I would put this as 5th

Twin Peaks the original series may be some of Lynch's highest highs in the episodes he directed and might be his most successful creation but it isn't totally consistent and was often out of his control. I put it at 4

Mulholland Drive might be Lynch's most perfect work of art. It is his most acclaimed film and probably the one he will most be remembered for by critics and film fans and deservedly so. But maybe, it is a little bit too perfect? or at least solvable which makes it lose a bit of mystery. Also, part of me thinks something in the Twin Peaks world might be more meaningful as his masterpiece. Mulholland Drive is his third top work to me.

Twin Peaks The Return is beyond amazing and will be analyzed and debated forever. It brings together so many of of his greatest collaborators and performances. It is the perfect Swan Song for Lynch but it is also as much of Frost's creation as it is Lynch's. Also I couldn't call it completely consistent as it just covers so much ground it couldn't be too focused (not a really a flaw but something noticeable). I would say The Return is Lynch's 2nd greatest work of art.

Fire Walk With Me is the ultimate expression of Lynch as an artist in my opinion. It is the perfect bridge between seasons of Twin Peaks but most importantly Laura Palmer is the most important character that Lynch ever created (I really believe Lynch would say this) and this is where we get to see the most of who she really was. Sheryl Lee gives the greatest acting performance in a Lynch work IMO and most of the film is tightly focused on her last week. The first 30 minutes amazingly opens up the Twin Peaks universe before the Return continued that 25 years later. This is also almost a bridge in a major change in Lynch's style where his filmmaking became more immersive, impressionistic and he developed an obsession with first person stories, "women in trouble" and so many of his most interesting themes. The only drawback is how it was received at the time but it's clearly been reevaluated and only becomes more acclaimed over the years.

Here is my overall Lynch Rankings:

1. Fire Walk With Me

2. Twin Peaks: The Return

3. Mulholland Drive

4. Twin Peaks Original Series

5. Inland Empire

6. Eraserhead

7. Blue Velvet

8. Lost Highway

9. The Straight Story

10. Wild At Heart

11. The Elephant Man

12. Dune