8 Movies That Most People Don’t Understand
#1 – Mulholland Drive
This 2001 thriller was written and directed by David Lynch, hallowed creator of Twin Peaks and overall king of the weird. The film tells the story of Betty Elms, an unknown actress played by Naomi Watts, and her encounter with Rita (Laura Harring), a stranger who has lost her memory in a car accident. As they journey around Los Angeles in search of Rita’s memory they are drawn into a world where dreams blend with reality and nobody can be trusted, not even themselves.
This film is known for being so confusing that the DVD sleeve contained a set of clues to help viewers make sense of what was going on. It has spawned fan websites, heated discussions among critics and viewers alike, and a wide range of interpretations. Some argue that most of the events are a dream, and others view the film as more of a statement about Hollywood than a narrative. You’ll have to watch it yourself to make a decision.
#2 – Donnie Darko
Also released in 2001, Richard Kelly’s directorial debut was a surprise hit partly because everybody wanted to work out what actually happened. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Donnie, a teenage boy who starts having visions of a sinister bunny rabbit named Frank (James Duval). The rabbit warns him that the world is about to end, and Donnie begins to commit crimes under his influence. Things only get stranger from there.
Donnie Darko involves time travel, death, destiny, and the possibility that its protagonist is simply mentally ill. Numerous theories have sprung up regarding its true meaning and there are even doubts about the sequence of events. Even if you don’t understand the film, it still makes for entertaining viewing.
#3 – Primer
Shane Carruth’s 2004 directorial debut (he also wrote, scored, edited, photographed, and starred in the film) starts out with four men in a garage who may or may not have made an amazing scientific discovery. From there, things get increasingly complex. Even if you can cope with the explanations of the way the “box” that the men created works, the explorations of trust, morality, and consequences take the movie down some mind-boggling paths.
There are several graphs available online to explain some aspects of the movie, if it helps. Primer was a small, independent movie that went on to be hugely popular. If you have time to watch the film and then spend a few hours debating it afterwards, you should.
#4 – Cloud Atlas
Based on the 2004 novel by David Mitchell, this film was released in 2012 and stars Tom Hanks and Halle Berry. The Wachowskis directed this epic film, which contains six stories set in six different times ranging from the 1800’s to a distant, post-apocalyptic future. The stories are all connected in some way, and each has Hanks and Berry as its protagonists in addition to a range of other performers.
Cloud Atlas raises a few questions in the audience: are the characters reincarnations of the ones in the previous stories? Can people really influence each other over generations and continents? How deep do the connections between characters run? Ultimately, this film is not so much confusing as it is likely to inspire curiosity and debate.
#5 – Jacob’s Ladder
This psychological horror from 1990 was directed by Adrian Lyne and stars Tim Robbins as the eponymous Jacob. It follows the story of Jacob’s apparent descent into madness as he is torn apart by visions, nightmares, and the appearance of demons that may or may not be real. All this is interspersed with flashbacks to his time as a Vietnam veteran.
The movie is saturated with Jacob’s confusion and fear: what is he seeing, and why is he seeing it? Worst of all, are these visions real? Hailed as both a terrifying horror and one of the most puzzling films out there, Jacob’s Ladder became an instant classic. It makes for great viewing, but you might have to sleep with the lights on afterwards.
#6 – Pi
Also known as π, Darren Aronovsky’s 1998 tale of obsession, paranoia, and mathematics was an instant cult hit and firmly established Aronovsky as a director to watch out for. It stars Sean Gullette as Max Cohen, a genius who believes that numbers hold the key to the secrets of the universe itself. Over the course of the movie he plays the stock market, is the victim of a conspiracy, and endures devastating migraines as he continues to obsessively work on the numbers. Since the story is told from Max’s point of view, it is impossible to tell what is real and what is caused by his delusion.
If you are in the mood for an atmospheric tale in black and white with a confusing plot, give this film a shot.
#7 – The Fountain
Another work by Darren Aronovsky, this 2006 film stars Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman in three different roles each. It contains three plots, all based around the quest for the Tree of Life. The film jumps between the ancient past, where Tomás the conquistador fights to find the Tree for his Queen, to 2005 where a scientist seeks a cure for his dying wife Izzi, to the distant future where a lone space traveller who may or may not be the same scientist travels through space.
It is both tender and intensely confusing, as the narrative jumps between time periods and mixes reality and fantasy. Both of the leads do a fantastic job at keeping the movie emotionally engaging even as you scratch your head. The Fountain received mixed reviews, with praise for its stunning visuals. Its themes of death and rebirth are complex, but it’s worth exploring.
#8 – The Tree of Life
Completely unrelated to the tree in the previous entry, this Terrence Mallick drama was released in 2011 to confusion and acclaim. At first glance it appears to be a journey through the life of an ordinary man (Jack O’Brien, played as an adult by Sean Penn), but it rapidly becomes far more ambitious. The film has little to no dialogue, and features a constant stream of breathtaking images of the galaxy, the beauty of nature, and everything in between. Mallick aimed to contemplate the nature of existence and our place in the universe, but it can be overwhelming to any viewer expecting a simpler story.
If you are looking for something straightforward, this is not the movie for you. But if you are seeking beauty and questions about life’s meaning, take some time and watch it.
Courtesy of http://www.uncoverdiscover.com
