MovieChat Forums > Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Discussion > Why I never liked Fire Walk With Me much

Why I never liked Fire Walk With Me much

posted 10 years ago by leica-2
12 replies | jump to latest

It's been quite a while since I saw Fire Walk with me for the first time. Simply put, I did not like it then, I do no like it now. Although I have to admit that second time was slightly better than the first time, third time slightly better than the second time...primarily because of my expectations for the film.

I thought the other day about the major things that annoy me about the film (well, apart from the obvious that it does not capture the atmosphere of Twin Peaks, its warmth and silly humor). Ok, here they come:

The storyline: We already know in quite a detail what has happened to Laura in the days preceding her death. Seeing it on screen does not add anything to this. Quite to the contrary, it feels repetitive, to say the least, and it removes the last tiny bit of mystery left.

New mysterious concepts: Generally I do not mind cliffhangers and I am a big fan of leaving questions unanswered, but the film spits out a whole *beep* (sorry) of new "mysterious" concepts and generally weird stuff that are either new or are loosely based on the show, but - either way - they are difficult to reconcile with the story told in the TV show. I almost got the feeling that these are being introduced just for the sake of being weird and mysterious since otherwise there is not much the film adds (see my first point). In other words there are too many loose ends that instead of being mysterious end up being pretty damn annoying (sorry). Just a few examples: the ring, blue rose, the paintings, "the meeting place" above the convenience store, teleportation, etc.

I am quite curious to see to what extent the third season picks up on these...

Comments, thoughts?

[–] MovieMan0283part2 10 years ago

"The storyline: We already know in quite a detail what has happened to Laura in the days preceding her death. Seeing it on screen does not add anything to this."

Yes, it does - it adds the first-hand experience. Hearing about abuse in dry, forensic detail is certainly nothing like witnessing it in person. The while mystery of Twin Peaks revolves around Laura Palmer's trauma. Fire Walk With Me gives it to us in unflinching detail. It may not be fun, but it is deeply moving and necessary. After watching the series I thought I knew what Laura went through but the film showed me I had no idea. I frankly don't understand how anyone can watch the film and not have a visceral reaction to this stuff. It's the most emotionally raw movie I've ever seen.

As for the mysterious concepts I am sure they will be dealt with on the show although Lynch being Lynch (even with Frost) it will probably be cryptic and full meaning will still be elusive.

Anyway I find that the film grows on people over time - especially series fans who were expecting something different the first time so maybe it will grow on you (or maybe not). It seems a lot of people get more out of it separating from the series and viewing it as a standalone avant-garde horror film. While I think the series and film feed off each other in interesting ways, the baggage of the show can also be a dead weight distracting the viewer from what the film is actually achieving.

Get Lost in the Movies on http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/

[–] Frketson 10 years ago

New mysterious concepts: Generally I do not mind cliffhangers and I am a big fan of leaving questions unanswered, but the film spits out a whole *beep* (sorry) of new "mysterious" concepts and generally weird stuff that are either new or are loosely based on the show, but - either way - they are difficult to reconcile with the story told in the TV show. I almost got the feeling that these are being introduced just for the sake of being weird and mysterious since otherwise there is not much the film adds (see my first point). In other words there are too many loose ends that instead of being mysterious end up being pretty damn annoying (sorry). Just a few examples: the ring, blue rose, the paintings, "the meeting place" above the convenience store, teleportation, etc.

I get what you're saying, but I liked all the stuff Lynch was adding to the mythology. Yeah we didnt get a lot of answers and it caused way more questions but idk. I found it all really interesting.

He must be under the effect of Lorne and Eve, too, presum, presumally.

[–] franzkabuki 10 years ago

The ring and the blue rose were great additions to the TP mythology - and probably not that impenetrably complex ones, either. I'd sure like to hear more about the convenience store and the shenanigans above it. Hints at some curious history there.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] asktheages 10 years ago

Concerning the convenience store/red room people or spirits, and the mystical elements of TP and FWWM generally, this is the best analysis that I've yet read:
http://babelwright.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/cherry-pie-wrapped-in-barb -wire-understanding-twin-peaks-fire-walk-with-me/

[–] MovieMan0283part2 10 years ago

Great recommendation - that's one of the most compelling readings I've come across. For me the key to FWWM is how the mythology and psychodrama resonate off one another; keeping them two separate elements doesn't feel as compelling, nor as consistent with Lynch's other works.

Get Lost in the Movies on http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] thebe123-484-488327 10 years ago

FWWM did not add anything to the BOB mythology. I agree that it added nothing that we really didn't all ready know after watching the series. BOB is what I wanted to know more about, like his origin. Clues at least to his origin. The blue rose meant nothing to me. As far as I'm concerned it's a red herring.

I don't have a desire to watch FWWM again.

If the ring and the rose were added symbols of the mythology, well that still does not do anything for me, at least not at this point. If another TP does come out then hopefully those will have meaning and hopefully there will be more clues or puzzles relating directly to the BOB mythology.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] PsychiatricPezDispenser 10 years ago

Glad someone else thinks so. I just watched it tonight for the first time and I thought it was BRILLIANT.

[–] Wednesday06 10 years ago

I watched it yesterday for the first time, too. I was an emotional wreck for the rest of the day!

I didn't think I was going to like Moira Kelly as Donna, because I thought Lara Flynn Boyle played her so perfectly in the series. However, I felt that Moira really captured the innocence of Donna, as a normal teenage girl, which was a stark contrast that really emphasized Sheryl's jaded Laura. Having seen both, I now have an even greater appreciation for LFB's portrayal of Donna after the tragic loss of her best friend.

Beautiful movie. Beautiful series. Brilliant all the way around.

[–] corscorpionis660 10 years ago

I largely agree with the OP. It revealed too much without adding much of substance. Seeing the events through Laura's eyes was heart-wrenching, but it also took away from the mystery and didn't reveal any new dimensions to her character IMO. The way the Laura/Leland stuff was handled almost felt like a Lifetime made-for-tv movie to me at times(emotionally manipulative and lacking in subtlety).

The portrayal of Donna didn't quite work for me either-Obviously the change in casting was a big part of this, but I also felt that the way they wrote her character was different-She seemed more naive and childish than the Donna from Twin Peaks for one thing. The way she blatantly revealed her feelings for James to Laura didn't feel right to me at all, for instance.

Some of the scenes were undoubtedly powerful, and some of the Black Lodge/man from another place stuff was intriguing. Still, I don't think anything here came close to the level of quality they reached in "Lonely Souls", for instance.

[–] avia2 9 years ago

My biggest disappointment was not seeing the other characters much. It was good to see Norma but I had really enjoyed the Packard-Martells, they carried Series 2 from Leland's death to the end.