MovieChat Forums > Hotel Room (1993) Discussion > "Blackout&quot ; is the best

"Blackout&quot ; is the best

posted 21 years ago by sara-34
16 replies | jump to latest

Please allow me to vent for just a moment. If you don't want to hear it skip to the 3rd paragraph.

There are a number of people commenting on David Lynch films who are self-professed fans who rail violently against the films he's made which have a more or less coherent story line. Is the only reason they're Lynch fans because they want a movie that's weird and doesn't make sense? I'm beginning to get the impression that they think in order to appear intelligent they have to label anything simple and straightforward as just trash. I think this is sad, and I think that's the reason Blackout isn't getting the praise it deserves.

I've read a number of reviews for this movie by people saying the first piece was the best, the second piece was absolute crap because it wasn't directed by Lynch, and the 3rd piece, Blackout, was just dull and pointless. Several reviewers even admitted to not bothering to finish watching it. I can say nothing for the first two pieces; it's been about 3 years since I watched this film and I honestly can't remember much about them. But I've never been able to forget Blackout.

It IS very simple. Nothing happens at all. It's just an eerily-lighted scene showing a conversation between a young married couple. It has beautifully written dialogue, and the entire plot and twists therein are revealed just in that. It also has some of the best acting I've ever seen. To quote my favorite review of this movie, "I'm a Lynch fan, but nothing could prepare me for a story where Crispin Glover is the sane, voice of reason." I have to agree, and it's a beautiful thing to see. Alicia Witt is also wonderful; her character is so pitiable and innocent in her insanity. It's absolutely wonderful, and reading about it has made me miss it, so I intend to go rent it and watch it again tomorrow.

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] edivila 19 years ago

when i saw this movie i thought the first episode was the best, but with time i've realized that it was blackout the one that really had a lasting effect on me.

i would also liked to add that the end of "blackout" is one of the most beautiful momenents i've seen on screen.

[–] rannofxcid 19 years ago

I am a Lynch "fan." I've seen everything the man has done (quite literally) and have not disliked any of it. I don't watch his films to look smart or to not know what's going on. I watch his films because he is the master at what he does. He creates atmosphere and tension where there should be none. And this is the reason why Blackout is the best of the three episodes of Hotel Room. In my opinion, it is also probably one of the greatest things my eyes have ever seen. Just like Lynch's short film "Darkened Room," Blackout scares you without ever hinting at why you're so scared. The dialogue is perfect, and Lynch's direction, though minimal, is exquisite. I found none of it dull or boring at all. It kept me biting my nails til the very end. The first story is fine. Interesting, anyway. The second one is OK, at best. But Blackout is truly a gem. One of my favorite things Lynch has ever directed.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] glamoloko 19 years ago

the *beep* episode in this trilogy is obviously "Getting Rid of Robby". you can see what they tried to accomplish, this 80s postmodern irony that was already over 1993. really outdated. James Signorelli should have sticked to his Elvira-trash & SNL-sketches. and writer Jay McInerney is just a Bret Easton Ellis without the talent. huge dissapointment. "Tricks" is OK theater with Lynch-style elements. the real highlight is "Blackout"! I totally agree with sara-34 and the other posts. Crispin Clover and Alicia Witt are great!

[–] sushiandrice 18 years ago

Took me a while to get into Blackout because Tricks was just so delciously surreal for the outset, but about half way through part three it completely gripped and - this is what I love about Lynch - I even finger at what point and why. Brilliant show, didn't care for part two as much for obvious reasons, but certainly this is something hideously underseen.

[–] benjohasspoken 18 years ago

I think a lot of people don't realize that the 2nd feature "getting rid of bobby" has nothing to do with Lynch, it's just thrown in there. You can't hold that piece of crap to the same standard as the other two. It's a piece of crap anyway, but just remember ... it's not Lynch. The other two are great, especially Blackuut. Alicia Witt and Crispin Glover are wonderful.

[–] gibbs-thyron 17 years ago

I'm a Lynch mega-fan,and I read bad reviews of this episode,but why? It's simply wonderful, I think.Is the best period of Lynch. The other episode,tricks, is less good, and If someone thinks different it means that he misunderstood Lynch.

...and Alicia Witt is fantastic.

[–] Farrel_Mitchener 17 years ago

Yeah "Blackout". Lynch liquefies Glover and pours him right into your ear, poisoning your mind in such a way as to leave you wondering if you've been poisoned at all. Crispin's performance is the stuff of nightmares, the quiet insistence of a malicious devil in your dreams.

[–] neil-wig 16 years ago

some people said it was scary
i laughed through some parts of it, but it was *beep* great, she was just so cute and retarded. loved it!

[–] franzkabuki 16 years ago

The athmosphere of Blackout was very much reminiscent of the Rabbit Room, I think - very minimalistic, muted and creepy. Amazing, how much can be achieved with nothing more than just a simple hotel room, two actors and one David Lynch. It may have been written by Gifford, but the reek of Lynch is allover it. Same goes for the first segment. Nice little vignettes... The middle one was almost unwatchably bad though, why was it kept in there is a total mystery.

[–] Greta-Garbo 15 years ago

I liked Tricks, but Blackout was AMAZING. It's more than just an incredible exercise in atmosphere, scaring us for no real, exact reason. It was also an incredibly beautiful little love story of undying devotion.

I want to be alone... ~Garbo~

[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

Very well said! "Blackout" did a great job of creating atmosphere, and as far as criticism that "nothing happened," isn't' that the same thing they used to say about "Seinfeld"? I love the quote about Crispin Glover being the voice of sanity. I sort of expected the tables to turn and find out that she was right all along and he was unbalanced, but I'm find with it as presented.

I still prefer the first segment, as I suspect most who see this anthology will, but there are no weak links in this film – just two solid links and a slightly stronger one.

Had this not been set up as "David Lynch Presents," it wouldn't have received some of the criticism it has. It also wouldn't have received the attention.

[–] dyahrmarkt 12 years ago

Really did enjoy "Blackout", but for me "Tricks" is the best of the three. There comes that moment when a hole bores through the fabric of whatever's happening, when things start to break down - the three push on, trying to get past that 'whatever-it-was' moment...Harry Dean Stanton, man, what a treasure this guy is.

Please nest your IMDB page, and respond to the correct person -

[–] sara-34 11 years ago

You have the most important signature on the entire IMDB.

[–] dyahrmarkt 10 years ago

Thanks for noticing! I was getting irritated with the constant responses to other people's posts.

Please nest your IMDB page, and respond to the correct person -

&quot;Blackout&quot ; is the best

"Blackout&quot ; is the best