Dune (PG-13, 1984) Written and directed by David Lynch. Based on the novel by Frank Herbert. Starring Kyle MacLachlan.
Whatever you want to say about Dune, you can't say that the story didn't have potential. At first glance, it might seem like the typical science-fiction epic: the population of a desert planet known as Arrakis, or Dune, rises up to fight the exploitation of their most valuable resource, a certain type of spice, by a dictatorial emperor and his evil allies. Like Luke Skywalker of the Star Wars trilogy, the hero Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) possesses supernatural powers that enable him to lead this revolution.
Unlike in Star Wars, however, the mythology behind this character and his role in fulfilling an ancient prophecy are developed in considerable detail. In fact, one might say that the primary plotline of Dune is Atreides's gradual realization that he is the long-awaited messiah and his difficulties and trials in living up to these expectations rather than the good-vs.-evil political conflict, although the film certainly does not shy away from showing the evil-doers in all their revolting ugliness. Dune thus takes on a much darker and more mysterious tone, and gives us a more sophisticated story, than most sci-fi epic adventures.
Now for the bad news. First of all, the original cut of the film was sliced up by the production company, who feared it would be too long. Instead, they give us a film that just has too many loose ends; one of the story's strengths-its attention to detail-also becomes a weakness as too many plot points and characters are introduced but never fully explained. I can't speak for everyone, but I personally would rather watch a long movie and come away from it understanding these points than watch a shorter movie and leave thinking that I was supposed to get more out of it than I did.
David Lynch puts his directing skills to good use, especially when the material allows him to exercise his talent for dark, surreal imagery. Paul Atreides's mysterious visions can stand alongside any Lynch-directed dream sequence, and the unnerving horror of the scenes with the sadistic Baron Harkonnen is enough to make him a classic Lynch villain. Unfortunately, I can't sing the same praises for Lynch's screenplay. There are a few things that just probably aren't going to work in a movie, regardless of how interesting the story is or how competent the acting and directing. One is dubbed voice-overs of the characters' thoughts. Another is a duel between the hero and a rather insignificant sleazebag thug at the end-after the climactic, effects-intensive, epic battle between "good" and "evil." Dune, alas, has both of these.
What we have in Dune, then, is a great idea that is only partially realized. It could have been a remarkably sophisticated and engaging hybrid of supernatural drama and science fiction epic. But between the studio's slicing-and-dicing of the original cut and Lynch's small but noticeable tactical mistakes in narrative structure, it ultimately falls short of its full potential.
Grade: B+
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