David Lynch’s Blue Velvet is a film about that which is hidden, that which lurks beneath the fair and exciting surfaces of our lives. When the layers are peeled back and the raw material of humanity is revealed, the combination of beauty and ugliness is distressing. By using film noir elements and a standard hero mystery set-up, Lynch’s 1986 movie explores the substance of humankind in what the director and writer considers his most personal piece.

Blue Velvet began to plant itself in Lynch’s mind as early as 1973, with formations of the basic sense gathering in his consciousness. He spent two years writing two drafts, but wasn’t overly impressed with either one. Lynch has said that the two drafts had all of the spitefulness of the film, but nothing else. The final piece, therefore, contains an appropriate and alluring combination of ugliness and amiability, formulating a marvelous tone that would grow to become a David Lynch trademark.

Kyle MacLachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont, a young man who returns home from college after his father suffers a stroke. After visiting him in the hospital, Jeffrey comes across a human ear in a vacant lot and, being the good ol’ boy he is, takes it to the police.

Detective John Williams (George Dickerson) takes on the case and, after talking the case over at Detective Williams’ house, Jeffrey meets Sandy Williams (Laura Dern). Sensing Jeffrey’s curiosity, Sandy tells him what she has heard about the ear and a suspicious woman, Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini), who may be connected to the strange situation.

Not content to simply wonder about the ear and Dorothy Vallens, Jeffrey concocts a plan to sneak into her apartment and observe her. Sandy wonders if Jeffrey is simply being a pervert or if he has other motivations, but she assists him nevertheless. In the apartment, Jeffrey is caught by Dorothy, who becomes aroused by the young man’s voyeurism. Before their encounter can go any further, they are interrupted by Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) and Jeffrey hides in the closet.

Lynch operates things brilliantly, constantly upping the ante and increasing the amount of anxiety. The arrival of Booth notches up the sexual tension and turns things suddenly brutal, as he inflicts cruelty on Dorothy. Jeffrey soon discovers that things are much more complicated than he ever thought possible and is thrust into the world of crime, drugs, and sociopathic behaviour. For a host of reasons, Jeffrey becomes drawn to Dorothy and is eager to save her. At the same time, he falls in love with Sandy.