Lynch/Oz
DogwoofCinema is most often known for being a one-way road of communication. While audiences undoubtedly have carved space for discussion and reaction, the cinematic medium traditionally sees filmmakers and artists craft messages and visuals that are delivered on the big screen with a monopoly of voice. Over the years, however, a new form of cinematic response has formed with video essays and analysis being collected into their own theatrical releases. One of the brightest modern voices in this genre is Alexandre O. Philippe who has created a career out of analyzing the works and legacy of multiple different filmmakers with his newest film, Lynch/Oz, taking aim at exploring the relationship between David Lynch and Victor Fleming’s 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.
Split into multiple sections with different voices from across the world of film giving their own unique takes and perspectives on this connection, Lynch/Oz is a complex feature that has its own highs and lows. The most consistent aspect of the film is easily its technical ability. Slick with editing and endless amounts of high-quality clips, Lynch/Oz is an engaging watch that does wonders when it comes to showcasing film and giving understanding to audiences, even if they haven't seen the exact project is focused on. Considering this has been a point of struggle for multiple other features of the genre, this professionalism and clean edit by David Lawrence is a clear cause for celebration.
The actual content of the feature is also an often rewarding experience. Curating an incredibly strong lineup of voices and perspectives including legendary filmmakers like John Waters and David Lowery, the film finds genuinely meaningful dialogue on Lynch's career that both pays tribute to the filmmaker while also trying to peel back the curtain on how the enigma operates. Make no mistake that while the film does keep coming back to the Wizard of Oz connection, the film is a far larger look at Lynch's work with topics such as his obsession with 1950s iconography and unwillingness to offer explanations for what he creates getting plenty of time and focus. Instead of trying to offer some clear answer to the puzzle that is David Lynch, the film accepts its inability to offer some grand objective truth and instead chooses to embrace an often smaller analysis of pieces within his work.
The biggest fault within these perspectives comes from the curated nature of the feature. While it is only natural that some thoughts will be more interesting and rewarding than others, there is also a fair amount of repetition as some points are repeated throughout multiple of the film's sections causing the viewing of the collective feature to sometimes feel somewhat dull and repetitive. It also is sometimes confusing to truly understand the context of who is leading a section and what their individual identity is which is sometimes key to understanding what perspective and personal lens they are bringing to the table. Lastly, the Wizard of Oz connection sometimes feels somewhat forced. While some segments are more willing to abandon this focus, or at least push it to the background, others feel contrived in how they work in the framework of this relationship into concepts clearly beyond that which the film holds as an identity. While these issues are rather minor and fail to ruin the film's overall viewing experience, they do have an effect on the collective feature and are noticeable enough.
For both casual and diehard fans of David Lynch, Lynch/Oz is an easy recommendation. Incredibly professional and surprisingly engaging, this collection of video essays is a rewarding watch.
