Blue Velvet

Name: Blue Velvet
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: September 19, 1986
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Dennis Hopper, Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan

1986

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 226 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 226 Ratings

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Blue Velvet

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Movie Details & Credits

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) | Release Date: September 19, 1986 | R

Starring: Dennis Hopper, Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan

Summary: Set in a small American town, Blue Velvet is a dark, sensuous mystery involving the intertwining lives of four very different individuals. The film's painful realism reminds us that we are not immune to the disturbing events which transpire in Blue Velvet's sleepy community. There is a darker side of life waiting for us all. (DeSet in a small American town, Blue Velvet is a dark, sensuous mystery involving the intertwining lives of four very different individuals. The film's painful realism reminds us that we are not immune to the disturbing events which transpire in Blue Velvet's sleepy community. There is a darker side of life waiting for us all. (De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Inc.)… Expand

Director: David Lynch

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Jamie Graham

Isabella Rossellini’s singer Dorothy is a heart-rending open wound, Dennis Hopper’s Frank Booth one of cinema’s great nutjobs, and Lynch’s control a thing of nightmarish beauty. Read full review

100

Sheila Benson

The most brilliantly disturbing film ever to have its roots in small-town American life. [19 September 1986, Calendar, p.6-1]

100

Elvis Mitchell

As fascinating as it is freakish. It confirms Mr. Lynch's stature as an innovator, a superb technician, and someone best not encountered in a dak alley. [19 September 1986]

Staff (Not credited)

Hopper creates a flabbergasting portrait of unrepentent, irredeemable evil. Read full review

Film.com John Hartl

An exhilarating piece of popular entertainment.

Marjorie Baumgarten

You either think it's dementedly wild at heart or a lost highway to nowhere.

Roger Ebert

So strong, so shocking and yet so audacious that people walk out shaking their heads; they don't know quite what to make of it. Read full review

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User Reviews

AlienSpaceBats

Oct 11, 2011

Rich symbolism, artistic cinematography and excellent Lynchian surrealism. I don't want to say more, words fall short of describing this film - a masterpiece.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Dragoonale

Oct 15, 2018

Blue Velvet will always remain my favorite film of all time. The characters are remarkable and explored, but most of the explanations are not said aloud. Jeffrey, Frank, and Ben are all examples of mysterious characters that we simply are informed outright about. You have to put togetherBlue Velvet will always remain my favorite film of all time. The characters are remarkable and explored, but most of the explanations are not said aloud. Jeffrey, Frank, and Ben are all examples of mysterious characters that we simply are informed outright about. You have to put together Frank and Ben's character for yourself, as the film does not do it for you. The idea of darkness lingering under a peaceful, and nostalgic town is something that builds the foundation for some of Lynch's later works. This film has numerous unique scenes that stick with you, and for me it was particularly the scene at Ben's house. This film manages to mix feelings of happiness, fear, creepiness, and a lurking eeriness that brings the whole thing together. Not to mention the unique way David Lynch has his characters interact with one another. Overall this film will always remain as a foundation for my viewing pleasures.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Jul 15, 2006

It's hard to find the words to describe the experience of watching Blue Velvet. The film is simply a masterpiece.

2 of 3 users found this helpful

JLeigh

Jun 25, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A brilliant film in every possible way, it still has the power to shock the spectator. Dark in a way few directors can barely even dream of, Frank will haunt your nightmares.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

RobertBrogan

Sep 28, 2015

Blue Velvet is a film you should definitely see if you are a fan of filmmaking or noir or the surreal, but it is a hard film to recommend. That is mainly because the acclaim it got from when it first came out does not really translate to present day, and so one would tend to get anBlue Velvet is a film you should definitely see if you are a fan of filmmaking or noir or the surreal, but it is a hard film to recommend. That is mainly because the acclaim it got from when it first came out does not really translate to present day, and so one would tend to get an impression and have expectations that the film is not going to match. It has been so many years and nowadays the vibe of the film is different. At the same time, it really is a good film and perhaps can be better appreciated not for being outrageous or frightening, but rather for some fine filmmaking and acting. In particular, loved the set for the female lead's apartment the performance by the actress playing her was quite good. The film has many memorable bits and pieces, but the overall vibe is about half as intense as watching an accident involving two vehicles with the highest safety rating and everyone has on their seatbelts. This sounds like it is bad, but it is not. Like I said, it is hard to write a review for. This is really a very good, a very theatrical film; and it is good to see, not so much for shocks and frights, but to appreciate a nice piece of work.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

amheretojudge

Jun 12, 2018

a smooth and satisfying experience..

Blue Velvet The feature is smartly separated into various high pitched dramatic sequences that are mesmerizing and bedazzling; even though inedible to encounter, offering some of the best theater act like drama culminated into this convoluted vision.a smooth and satisfying experience..

Blue Velvet

The feature is smartly separated into various high pitched dramatic sequences that are mesmerizing and bedazzling; even though inedible to encounter, offering some of the best theater act like drama culminated into this convoluted vision. The writing is witty, exhilarating and gripping throughout the course of it where if plotted a graph there barely would be a dip somewhere in its second act which is feasible. The technical aspects like background score is up beating and horrifying and is perfectly edited too. David Lynch; the writer-director, once again proves his excellence and passion towards the art of the cinema through his brilliant execution skills which holds the audience on the edge of the seat, rooting for more even after the curtain drops. The performance level is satisfactorily filled in by Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini and Laura Dern as a supporting cast. The only minor conflict in this feature is the definite point that it fails to make despite of building it up to such a peak where the audience feels vulnerable and surrendered to the world depicted in here. Blue Velvet is a smooth and satisfying experience in terms of craft that is explored in here and the thrill it offers along with it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DJHobby

Jul 6, 2008

Public Service Announcement: David Lynch Sucks I'm watching Blue Velvet right now and I want to know how did this movie garner any accolades. Congress should pass a law declaring that if David Lynch ever tries to make another movie he should be drawn and quartered. I decided to watch Public Service Announcement: David Lynch Sucks I'm watching Blue Velvet right now and I want to know how did this movie garner any accolades. Congress should pass a law declaring that if David Lynch ever tries to make another movie he should be drawn and quartered. I decided to watch this movie after seeing that it was one of the American Film Institutes top 100 movies of all time. AFI even said it was even one of the top 10 mystery films of all times. The big mystery is who supports this crap. I'll give you the play by play of this movie as I watch it. It has the worst sound track of any "serious" movie ever made. Some of the songs are good songs, I love Roy Orbison etc.. But they are all out of place. The acting in this movie is horrible. The dork main character chews up the scenery. And then there is Dennis Hopper. Hopper is the worst actor of all time. He ruins ever movie he has ever made. Think about it. Apocalypse Now was awesome until Hopper shows up. Hoosiers might have been a good movie if he had not been cast. This movie is definitely no exception. It has one of the worst/weirdest scene ever in any movie. Dennis Hopper (have I told you how much I hate this asshole?) starts sniffing something, (oxygen?, glue?, his underwear?) and rapes Isabella Rossellini while he yells for his mommy. Damn, I need a shower. This movie is just full of unnecessary sexual violence. Why does that damn curtain keep flapping? And what is with the 25 times the actors say or drink a Heineken? "Heineken? Fuck that shit! Pabst Blue Ribbon!" That is a line delivered ham fisted, straight from the movie. This ranks right down there with Muhalland Drive, another David Lynch movie, that is the worst movie ever made. Is that guy dancing with a snake? More underwear sniffing, and then Hopper puts on lipstick? Man this movie is bad? Roy Orbison's estate should sue for slander. To quote an Orbison song played during this movie, "I can't help it if I cry," at how bad this movie is. Oh shit, the man in the yellow coat is a cop! I didn't see that coming. Also, what year did this take place? Most of the cars are from the late 50's, and a few from the 60's. The main dork dresses like it's 1982, but everyone else dresses like it's 1962. The dork sure does heal well. First he's stabbed in the face, (and that appears and reappears trough out) and then he is nearly beaten to death and then the next day he is fully healed. WTF? I didn't see that coming. David Lynch convinced Isabella to get naked and beat up one more time. Wouldn't you just take her to the hospital, not to your girlfriends house? What the hell?!? Now the guy with the yellow coat is standing there, and he's dead, standing? What in the world is Dennis Hopper sniffing? Sorry about the long rant but I can't say enough about how bad this movie is. Don't just take my word for it. From wikipedia: Roger Ebert, noted film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times, supports my view, although he praised Isabella Rossellini's performance as being "convincing and courageous". Ebert criticized how she was depicted in the film, even accusing David Lynch of misogyny: "degraded, slapped around, humiliated and undressed in front of the camera. And when you ask an actress to endure those experiences, you should keep your side of the bargain by putting her in an important film" David Lynch you put your disease in me.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful

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