My decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange Twin Peaks extends beyond the small town. I’ve also been a fan of both Lynch and Frost’s other works, which is why I’m thrilled to share a look at John Thorne’s new book, “Devious Dreams: Reimagining David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.” I remember seeing this film three times in theatres, twice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during a business trip. It’s an incredible film and John, being an incredible author, has penned a wonderful companion to David Lynch’s 2001 film.
THE TALENTED JOHN THORNE
I’ve been following John Thorne’s work since he launched “Wrapped in Plastic” in the early 1990s with the late Craig Miller. With every issue, I was dazzled by their insights. In a time before the internet and social media, John and Craig’s magazine was a lifeline for a fan living in Columbus, Ohio.
A few years after Twin Peaks: The Return aired on Showtime, John wrote a definitive look at Lynch and Frost’s third season. Titled “Ominous Whoosh: A Wandering Mind Returns to Twin Peaks,” Thorne dives deep into The Return, closely examining each episode and offering in-depth theories about the show’s most perplexing riddles. I couldn’t put the book down and it offered a whole new way to look enigmatic 18-part “film.”
At the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, John and long-time Twin Peaks fan Josh Eisenstadt spoke at length about Twin Peaks – Part 8 which John discusses in “Ominous Whoosh.” It was one of the most fascinating panel discussions that weekend.
Knowing John’s skills as a talented storyteller, I knew that a Mulholland Drive book would be something special.
JOHN THORNE TEASES DEVIOUS DREAMS
This past year, John has teased he was working on “Devious Dreams” via his Twitter (I refuse to call it anything else) account, @ThorneWIP. From screen shots to conversations with fellow Bookhouse Boy, @TPGrammar on his YouTube Channel, it was clear John was working on something about the film.
On June 21, he shared an image of an ashtray and an “Welcome to Mulholland Drive” book. The caption read, “David Lynch told us to notice the ashtray. Well, there it is.” This was a nod Lynch’s 10 Clues about Mulholland Drive, released in the early 2000s – the sixth clue was, “Notice the robe, the ashtray, the coffee cup.”
Thorne followed up a few days later on June 29 with an image of a blue key and the caption, “I’ve been working on something new. It’s almost done. When it’s finished, I’ll tell you where you can find it.” A nice nod to dialogue from Lynch’s film.
The blue key in the image was manufactured by KWI based in Cleveland, Ohio.
On July 18, 2024, John shared the Table of Contents for his new book. The caption for his Tweet read, “It’s getting closer. I’m making final edits to the proof copy. Title and cover reveal happening soon!”
Ten days later, he offered a first look at two sections from “Devious Dreams.” The book would include interviews first seen in Craig and John’s “Wrapped in Plastic.”
It was exciting to see these chapters as the interviews with the film’s stars from early 2001 are important for archiving and documenting this kind of history. Memories grow more distant with each passing year. By having memories recorded only a few years after production, the insights would be fresh. I also love all the colorful tabs that line the right side of the book.
“DEVIOUS DREAMS: REIMAGINING DAVID LYNCH’S MULHOLLAND DRIVE” ANNOUNCED
Finally, on August 6, 2024, John shared via Twitter, “Here it is: My new book examining David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive! It’s available to order now!”
The cover included a KWI key on a wooden table, a direct nod to something that happens in the film. The book is available via Kindle, paperback and hardcover (I chose the latter because there is nothing quite like the feel of a hardcover book in hand while sipping on coffee).
Here is the synopsis. Notice the piano-themed ashtray on the back cover (from the June 21 tease)
Puzzling and elusive, David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (2001) refuses easy interpretation. Critics have said the film is “outside logical explanation,” that it lacks “any semblance of rationality,” that “people who try to work out what is ‘really’ going on in it are wasting their time.” Given Mulholland Drive’s unorthodox narrative—Is the story a dream? The visions of a dying mind? A depiction of alternate realities?—it’s no wonder audiences struggle to make sense of it.
In “Devious Dreams: Reimagining David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive,” John Thorne argues that a simple story hides beneath the film’s chaotic surface. Through a study of Mulholland Drive’s production documents, shooting script, and original configuration as a television pilot, and through analysis of David Lynch’s approach to editing, sound design, scene arrangement, and camera movement, Thorne offers compelling evidence that the first part of the film is an exaggerated reflection of the latter—that a dream interpretation is the most coherent way to read Mulholland Drive.
Supplementing Thorne’s analysis, “Devious Dreams” features in-depth interviews with Mulholland Drive’s lead performers: Naomi Watts, Justin Theroux, and Laura Elena Harring. Each actor shares vivid memories of making Mulholland Drive (both as television pilot and film) and offers personal interpretations of the film. Originally published in “Wrapped In Plastic” magazine in 2001, these interviews enhance our understanding of Mulholland Drive and provide a rare glimpse into its unusual creation.
Mulholland Drive is a film that warrants in-depth interrogation. Here, in these pages, it gets due consideration. Cogently argued and meticulously researched, “Devious Dreams” is an unprecedented look at this landmark film.
Check out this eight-minute preview of “Devious Dreams” via a conversation facilitated by TP Grammar. I could listen to this discussion for hours.
Nearly 24 hours after going on sale, the book was the #1 New Release in Arts & Photography Criticism. WOW!
WRAPPED IN PLASTIC, NO. 56
I still have my original “Wrapped in Plastic” magazines when Craig and John first discussed Mulholland Drive. I scanned a few photos from this issue and made a surprising discover in the Letters section.
The cover image of Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring was taken by Melissa Moseley.
The back cover image included Naomi, Laura and David Lynch.
I adore this black and white image of Naomi Watts receiving an ominous phone call.
David Lynch directing Naomi at the Winkie’s set.
This black and white image is just as stunning as the phone call shot.
I am still impressed with how this film was originally a television pilot but turned into so much more.
Sharing a moment at Winkie’s – it’s one film location I’ve not visited.
A companion image to Naomi’s black and white headshot.
And then I discovered this letter on page 24 from a much younger “Steven Miller.” I completely forgot that I wrote to John and Craig via email in 2001. Even then, I was obsessed with Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and the music from David Lynch’s film. “BlueBOB” would eventually be released and it’s such an awesome slice of early 2000s with David Lynch and the late John Neff.
Congratulations, John on the release of your book! Can’t wait to read it.
