Movie Reviews

[Fantastic Fest ’22] ‘Lynch/Oz’ review: Fascinating documentary about two all time greats

Over the rainbow.

September 27, 2022

Lynch/Oz is a documentary from Alexandre Phillipe that examines the connection between director David Lynch and the classic The Wizard of Oz. Broken down into chapters presented by different filmmakers, the film is a look at how movies can affect a person. It also is an invitation to look Lynch’s catalog through a different lens.

Phillipe has shown in his previous works that he has a deep love and respect for cinema. This is apparent in Lynch/Oz. In this case, he is willing to hand over the narrative aspects to other filmmakers. Amy Nicholson, Rodney Asher, John Waters, David Lowery, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, and Karyn Kusama all make contributions and bring their own style.

A documentary about the films of David Lynch is going to be interesting by default, but breaking things down into six distinct chapters keeps things fresh. Waters is almost whimsical while Kusama is analytical in her approach. Each chapter may be tonally different, but Phillipe’s visuals tie it all together ensuring Lynch/Oz never feels uneven.

Lynch’s films have been the subject of debate and talk for decades. Lynch/Oz still manages to add more conversation topics. The documentary is not a one to one comparison (Wild at Heart, red shoes, and curtains notwithstanding), and is more of an exploration of themes and ideas. Not only is this interesting, but it helps the film appeal to more than just Lynch fans. Filmmaking, dreams, and personal growth are just some of the subjects that are touched on.

[Fantastic Fest '22] 'Lynch/Oz' review: Fascinating documentary about two all time greats

This is the true litmus test for any documentary. Obviously, fans of Lynch will be drawn to the film, but Phillipe has proven he can appeal to a wider audience, and does so yet again. Ironically, Lynch/Oz may be more accessible than its subject’s library. It discusses the director in a way that will make people want to see just what all the fuss is about.