David Lynch is one of the most esteemed auteurs in cinematic history, and young Laura Dern was thrilled for her first opportunity to work with him. Many consider the director’s 1986 psychological horror-noirBlue Velvetto be Lynch’s magnum opus.The unsettling mystery about a college kid discovering a severed ear and uncovering the hidden underbelly of his quaint suburban small town divided audiences upon its release, but it is now heralded as a masterpiece. The film continues to be analyzed and studied by film historians, critics, and students in film schools to this day.
Lynch assembled an incredible cast to bringBlue Velvetto life, including Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, andLaura Dern in her breakout film role.The film marked the beginning of an enthralling collaboration between Lynch and Dern, who went on to star in three more of his projects. While Dern loved her experience onBlue Velvetand credits the film for launching her career, the actress hasrevealed that she had to make an incredibly difficult decision and personal sacrifice when she decided to take on the role.
UCLA Forced Laura Dern To Choose Between Blue Velvet & School, According To The Actress
Laura Dern Still Holds A Grudge Against The College But Made The Right Decision To Star In Blue Velvet
Laura Dern was born into acting royalty as the daughter of prominent actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. She appeared in a few films as a child, most notably in the 1980 Jodie Foster movieFoxes, but didn’t fully pursue a career until she was a teenager. After a well-received supporting turn in the Cher filmMask(1985), Dern landed the pivotal role of Sandy Williams inBlue Velvetwhen she was only 17. The only issue wasshe started college at UCLA two days before booking the part.
In a movie filled with depraved and disturbing characters, she stands out as the only pure and innocent figure
Dern was ecstatic when she got the role because she was a huge fan of Lynch’s films. InBlue Velvet,Dern’s Sandy is a high school student who becomes romantically involved with Jeffrey(Kyle Maclachlan). Together, they investigate the mystery behind the severed ear, which leads them on a dangerous journey involving gangsters, drug dealers, psychopaths, and a botched kidnapping. Dern is perfect as the optimistic Sandy. In a movie filled with depraved and disturbing characters, she stands out as the only pure and innocent figure, providing the emotional undercurrent and stark contrast to the film’s dark themes.
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Speaking recently with Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson on their podcastWhere Everybody Knows Your Name,Dern recounted thatshe asked for a leave of absence from UCLA to shootBlue Velvet, but was told, “Absolutely not."(viaPeople) After pleading her case further, the head of the film department agreed to read the script, but his response was not what she had hoped. According to Dern, he told her:
“First of all, if you make this choice, you are no longer welcome at UCLA. You’ll be out. But secondly, having read this script, that you would give up your college education for this is insane.”
Dern went on to tell Harrelson and Dansonthe biggest irony of UCLA not granting her the leave of absence forBlue Velvetis that the film is now part of their curriculum.
“Today, if you want to get a masters in film at that school, when you write a thesis there are three movies you are required to study, and you know what one of them is… Pisses me off.”
While it is unfortunate that Dern was not allowed to continue her education at UCLA, it is clear that she made the right decision to star inBlue Velvet.Lynch’sBlue Velvethas an incredible legacyand has left a lasting cultural impact. Its success gave Lynch the clout to getTwin Peakson the air, one of the most seminal television shows of all time. It also revitalized the neo-noir genre, introduced one of cinema’s most terrifying villains with Dennis Hopper’s Frank Booth, and paved the way for more brilliant collaborations between Dern and Lynch.
Blue Velvet Started A Collaborative Partnership Between Dern & David Lynch
Dern Starred In Three Other Surreal David Lynch Projects
After starring inBlue Velvet,David Lynch and Laura Dern worked together on three other projects. In 1990,Dern starred as Lula Pace Fortune in Lynch’s trippy road movieWild at Heartopposite Nicolas Cage, where they played lovers on the run. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and has since gained a cult following.
Dern also starred in Lynch’s 2006 surreal thrillerInland Empireas Nikki Grace/Sue Blue, an actress who adopts the persona of the character she is playing in a cursed film. This remains Lynch’s last feature film. In 2017, Dernreunited with herBlue Velvetco-star Kyle MacLachlan, playing his secretary, Diane Evans, in Lynch’srevival ofTwin Peaks.Each of these project gave Dern a complex role within a surreal but always compelling narrative.
While the two currently don’t have plans to reunite on a project — especially withLynch’s emphysema making it difficult to direct in person— he has stated that he has no plans to retire. If Lynch does direct another project, there is a good chance that Laura Dern would be open to collaborating again, due to their close relationship that all started withBlue Velvet.
Blue Velvet
Cast
Written and directed by David Lynch, Blue Velvet is a 1986 Thriller and Mystery film. Starring Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini, the film follows a young man that becomes embroiled in a crime.
