A dream? Post-nuclear reality? Aliens? It is hard to say exactly what I saw in my first viewing of
Eraserhead - other than a work of cinematic art that is . . .
And trust me, this isn't for the faint of heart kiddies. Don't watch this film thinking you will get a pretty little Hollywood package with a satin ribbon tied in a bow delivered directly to you. This is more like a highschool science class where you are dissecting a fetal pig - disturbing, but in most cases you will learn a lot about the pig and yourself in the process.
Director, David Lynch takes you through a muted grey kaleidoscope of the horrors in one man's pathetic life. Henry Spencer (Jack Nance) is Eraserhead (at least that's what I gathered) and he is a man faced with fatherhood (of a mutant "baby"), husbandry (to a seizing lunatic) and some sort of creepy little sideshow seen through the grates of his radiator. Not to mention his strange dreams - or is the whole film a series of strange dreams within dreams? Every time I think I've got one portion figured out, I find myself asking another question.
Between the dancing Lady in the Radiator (Laurel Near), the Man in the Planet (Jack Fisk), the bleeding tiny manmade chickens and various other visual oddities there was quite enough stimulation to keep me entertained. And although there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of dialogue, it wasn't as if I found the film lacking it in any way.
Suffice it to say that Eraserhead is a visual masterpiece (especially considering its time period) and will certainly continue to be a cult classic. It is one of those films that must be viewed several times and must be paid close attention. I have the feeling that each time I watch it I will find my view of it will change slightly - but I find that the case with most of David Lynch's work for me anyway.
If I had to describe my
Eraserhead experience in one phrase it would have to be . . . strangely endearing.
Eraserhead Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
David Lynch
Writing credits
David Lynch
Cast (in credits order)
Jack Nance .... Henry Spencer (as John Nance)
Charlotte Stewart .... Mary X
Allen Joseph .... Mr. X
Jeanne Bates .... Mrs. X
Judith Anna Roberts .... Beautiful Girl Across the Hall
Laurel Near .... Lady in the Radiator
V. Phipps-Wilson .... Landlady (long version)
Jack Fisk .... Man in the Planet
Jean Lange .... Grandmother
Thomas Coulson .... The Boy
John Monez .... Bum
Darwin Joston .... Paul
Neil Moran .... The Boss
Hal Landon Jr. .... Pencil Machine Operator
Jennifer Chambers Lynch .... Little Girl (as Jennifer Lynch)
Brad Keeler .... Little Boy
Peggy Lynch .... Person Digging in the Alley (long version)
Doddie Keeler .... Person Digging in the Alley (long version)
Gill Dennis .... Man with Cigar
Toby Keeler .... Man Fighting
Raymond Walsh .... Mr. Roundheels
More Eraserhead Movie Reviews
Eraserhead Movie Review from DVDFileEraserhead Movie Review and Information Page at The Internet Movie Database
