Comm 424-Blue Velvet

The film Blue Velvet, directed by David Lynch in 1986, contains elements and styles from film noir. Although this film contained scenes that are much more cynical from movies like it in the past, Lynch puts his own personal twist and style to his movie. The main characters fit into classic noir type film, but the surrealism and depiction of this small town underworld is like no other. We are introduced to the protagonist in the movie, a young college student named Jeffry. He stumbles upon a severed ear. As he takes this ear to the authorities, he continues to venture further and seeks to discover how he came upon his finding. Jeffrey’s character fits right into the classic noir style of film. Alongside character traits, camera angles, lighting, and story line, Lynch provides viewers what seems to be a typical noir type movie. However, Jeffreys curiosity and voyeurism leads to meet Dorothy, a singer who performs at a local nightclub. After some amateur investigation work and help with his new friend, Sandy, Jeffery begins to look deeper into Dorothy's life and others who influence her life. Frank is a man who has kidnapped Dorothy’s son and husband. He is the antagonist in the movie and his personality and habits are exploited and shown with great emphasis. Frank is a psychotic man with a drug problem. He is inappropriate, aggressive, and hostile throughout the entire film. His facial expressions, tone, and violence is unlike any other character in the movie, distinguishing behavior not found in all noir work.