Lynch/Oz film review — how the Wizard inspired the film-maker

Television gets everywhere in the story of film. Take The Wizard of Oz, the Hope Diamond of cinema history that was a box-office flop on release in 1939. Instead, its place in American hearts was secured playing on 1950s TV. And among the countless children watching rapt was — it is assumed — the young David Lynch. Such at least is the thesis of Alexandre O Philippe, and his screen-head documentary Lynch/Oz. Because yes, the pop surrealist grandmaster has often talked of his obsession with the movie. But you only need see his films to know that: a body of work made by a man assuredly not in Kansas anymore.

Philippe’s CV includes 78/52, a feature-length breakdown of the Psycho shower scene. Lions and tigers and nerds, oh my! Here his contributors include directors Karyn Kusama, David Lowery and cult icon John Waters (on brand). At the most literal level we are reminded of Blue Velvet’s Dorothy, and many red shoes. Fortunately, the rabbit hole goes deeper, mining the Lynchian fixation with multiple identities. (In the lost-soul actresses of Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire, we are invited to see Judy Garland.)

Of course, little of this will appeal if you’re not pre-sold on Lynch. There is also a solid case that anyone who calls themselves a film lover should have a working knowledge of perhaps the last true artist in American movies. And from his niche, Philippe has universal lessons about the nature of influence. The essence of cinema too: so fond of pulling back the curtain even as it asks us to believe in the wizard.

★★★☆☆

In UK cinemas from December 2