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Mulholland Falls (1996) – Trailer Included
The Serpentine Road Up to Tragedy.
Mulholland Falls - Available on DVD in the U.S.
Director: Lee Tamahori
Starring: Nick Nolte, John Malkovich, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Jennifer Connelly, William Petersen, Chazz Palminteri, Treat Williams, Bruce Dern, Andrew McCarthy, Melanie Griffith
“This isn't America, Jack. This is L.A.” – Max Hoover
Wearing its Chinatown influences like a well tailored suit Mulholland Falls is a largely forgotten film noir that places its emphasis on authentic recreation of an era. Despite a superb cast and Director Lee Tamahori following up the success of Once Were Warriors the film sadly doesn’t meet its potential. Still by no means an abject failure, there are flourishes of brilliance and the mood of the piece really thrusts you back in time. The fundamental flaw is the gumshoe mystery script just isn’t as compelling as it should be with staggered pacing and some self conscious dialogue.
Set in 1950’s Los Angeles, an age where the tough guys came with severe nicotine addictions and panache for fedora hats. Max Hoover (Nick Nolte) is head of a special four man squad of LA police detectives given free reign to crush crime with matching force. Miranda rights haven’t been introduced yet and so Hoover, Eddie Hall (Michael Madsen), Arthur Relyea (Chris Penn) and Ellery Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri) operate with extreme prejudice and bloodhound resilience.
After establishing what in fact Mulholland Falls is, the murder of a beautiful young girl named Allison Pond (Jennifer Connelly) launches our quartet of lawmen down a murky path of destruction. As the investigation unfolds the clues lead to cover-up, conspiracy and pornography. Personal secrets and fading morality simmer to the surface as the hypocrisy of their methods and poor judgment insert themselves into the case.
“See, that's federal property. This isn't. This is L.A. This is my town. Out here you're a trespasser. Out here I can pick you up, burn your house, fuck your wife, and kill your dog. And the only thing that'll protect you is if I can't find you. And I already found you.” – Max Hoover
The boys prepare to get nasty.
John Doe Says:
Nick Nolte smokes it up for jennifer Connelly.
Lee Tamahori, (Die Another Day) directs with a lingering eye, but the pacing suffers. Rumour has it that the studio took the film away from him in Sally Menke’s (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) editing suite and this probably explains the quixotic results. There is an abundance of nostalgic style and homage in every scene to be admired. The well dressed locations are richly composed. The abrupt violence and smoldering mood consistently lift the quality above its flaws making for watch ability.
Capaciously shot, the atmospheric cinematography of the iconic Haskell Wexler (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Thomas Crown Affair, Medium Cool) bleeds tainted glamour and salutes the films yesteryear brethren. According to wikipedia “Director of Photography, Haskell Wexler, creates a look that is visually sparse and shaded to emphasize the lurid and angular which is typical of the film noir style done in the 1940s and 1950s.”
The vibrant musical score by Dave Grusin (The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Three Days of the Condor, The Goonies) is sometimes misplaced with upbeat tempos but still dictates danger and importantly a haunting milieu.
Peter Dexter’s (Rush, Paris, Trout) hard boiled crime screenplay done 1940’s style treats raunchy sex and bloody violence within a post modern vernacular. There is humor in some of the exchanges and suspense in scenarios but the smoke and mirrors story doesn’t engage like it should. The structure is off and the pacing goes from lethargic to a dash in sporadic bursts. If the characters weren’t acted with such gusto by the cast then the severe lack of development would leave us not caring about anyone’s fate.
Fortunately even the smallest role is ably filled and given dimension by those that inhabit them. Nick Nolte (The Good Thief, 48Hrs, U-Turn) drags the grizzled, hard drinking Hoover into unexpected places. The traditional beats are familiar but his delivery of lines and important silences make for an engaging interpretation.
Back when someone other than Tarantino was giving him work and before his straight to DVD days, Michael Madsen’s (Sin City, The Doors, Donnie Brasco) presence was appreciated. Here the part is under drawn but his charisma is undeniable and the few chances he gets to pound skulls with a cigarette dangling from his mouth and a grimace on his face are memorable.
The late Chris Penn (The Funeral, Reservoir Dogs, Deceiver) was always in his brother’s shadow. Despite knowledge of his skill Arthur is the least visible member of the squad. It’s a real shame too because his burly walk and few words work to make a strong impression.
As Ellery, the anger riddled head smasher working through his rage issues with a shrink Chazz Palminteri (The Usual Suspects, Innocent Blood, Bullets over Broadway) plays for laughs and gets them. His punctuated like a suppressed volcano delivery making lines exceed the words on the page.
Now for the weak spot, the former Mrs Don Johnson, current Banderas brings that annoying, squeaky delivery and empty eyed Marilyn Monroe thing. Rightfully nominated for a Razzie Melanie Griffith (Nightmoves, Body Double, Something Wild) is incapable of the nuance her role as Nolte’s suffering wife demands.
Jennifer Connelly in costume.
Andrew McCarthy, (Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero, Stag) makes the most of his extended cameo, likewise Bruce Dern, (The Wild Angels, Silent Running, The Driver) Treat Williams, (Prince of the City, Once Upon A Time In America, Things To Do In Denver When Your Dead), Louise Fletcher, (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) and William Petersen (Manhunter, To Live and Die in L.A.) standout.
The casting of John Malkovich borders on hubris, but as always he makes some unique choices that are emoted through eccentricity.
As established the film has shortcomings that need to be overlooked for enjoyment. As an opportunity to see a film that has all the components to be exceptional, but ends up average there is much that can be learnt about screen craft. Beyond that for John Doe Mulholland Falls was worth revisiting for the old school cool daylight noir…Oh, and the exquisite Jennifer Connelly.
Trailer for Mulholland Falls
The first 10 Minutes of Mulholland Falls.
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