7. Inland Empire (2006)
Think you know Lynch? Think again. This film will blow any Lynch fans' mind, its Eraserhead x10 and then some. You are probably wondering why the above photo looks a bit grainy, it's because the whole film is shot in DV - Imagine a Lynch film filmed in the same format as a 'You've Been Framed' clip and you're on the right lines. It will never have the same edge as Eraserhead due to how late it comes in Lynchs career, but in terms of non linear narrative and mind bending surrealism it is pretty damn close. Inland Empire is Lynch at his most experimental - The script was half finished when filming began, instead of actually finishing it, Lynch gave his actors freshly written pages on each shoot. The decision to shoot in digital video was something that changed the Lynch we know and love, he has since vowed to never work in film again for his movies, something he has certainly adhered to; released all the way back in 2006, Inland Empire is so far his final film. Not much can be said about what it all means, as one persons interpretation will differ completely from another. Just be safe in the knowledge that this is the work of a genius, a man who now needs to ensure that this is not the last film he makes.
The Severed Ear Scale of Madness: 5/5