Eraserhead (1977) Review

 

Eraserhead (1977)

So, I’ve finally decided to go down the David Lynch rabbit hole, tonight with Ian McDougal!

Eraserhead is about Henry, who after a previous fling, must marry a woman who is baring his child, a disfigured lizard like creature.

I must first say, this is unlike anything I have ever seen or ever will see. It’s so far out of left field, containing intense imagery, surrealism, dark humor, and awkward performances that really confuse you on how to feel. Uncomfortable for sure. But it’s the auteur and artistic way it’s presented that gives it such a different identity that if you truly enjoy film, you will love, in a weird sort of way.

I’ve heard a lot about Lynch over the years, some praising him a genius, while others calling him mad. I’d say it’s a happy medium. With Eraserhead, he pulled back the surface layer we as humans don’t like to see or admit to knowing, and made a very real story, aside from the lizard child of course. I was left laughing because my emotions were so out of wack that I just couldn’t place where in his mind a movie like this comes from. But it did, and he did it very well, in a way that is wholly original and never seen before.

It’s shot beautifully, with the black and white adding to the post-industrial look that this version of the world has. It’s the only way you could make this film, minimally, cheaply, but with a goal in mind. To try to explain the film would defeat the purpose, as that’s utterly impossible.

It’s well acted, beautifully shot, and a disturbing look underneath the surface of comfort that will make your skin crawl (literally). Eraserhead is simple, but all too complicated, not needing anything fancy to convey the message of mortality.

I’m still at a loss for words, and it will definitely take repeat viewings for me to even somewhat grasp that gravity of this movie, but it was nevertheless one of the most interesting films I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch and I’m excited to explore this rabbit hole more.

8.4/10