Summary
Laura Dern explains how her school made a turnaround, as they now teach her breakout role inBlue Velvetafter forcing her to drop out to make it.Dern is an acclaimed actor, known for roles in films such asJurassic Park,Marriage Story,Wild, andBlue Velvet.She has been nominated for three Oscars throughout her career, winning in 2020 for Best Supporting Actress in the Noah Baumbach dramaMarriage Story. She has also been nominated for multiple Emmys, winning in 2017 forBig Little Lies.
Speaking on theWhere Everybody Knows Your Namepodcast, Dern explains why she had to drop out of school to makeBlue Velvet. Dern attendedUCLA for just two days before getting herBlue Velvetrole. When she approached the head of the film department to request a leave of absence, she was told firmly “It’s not going to happen.” At the time, the professor in question thought she would be “insane” to “give up [her] college education for this,” but now, the school teaches the film. Check out the full story from Dern below:
I was 17, so excited to get into UCLA. I was there for two days, and I had auditioned and got offered the role in ‘Blue Velvet.’
I said, ‘I have this opportunity and he said, ‘Well, I’ll look at the script if you want to give me the script, but, you know, you’re not going to get a leave of absence. It’s not going to happen. It’s not a medical emergency.'
‘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.’
Obviously, it was an incredibly shocking script. I will just end by saying after my two days, 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?
Unpacking Blue Velvet’s Reception & Legacy
Blue Velvet Was Divisive
WhileBlue Velvetis revered now, there are reasons why the UCLA film school may have reacted in the way they did. For one, the film is unusual in the plot itself, showing audiences the story of a seemingly quaint suburban neighborhood, where Kyle MacLachlan’s college student-aged characterfinds a severed ear in his family’s front yard. The discovery of this ear leads him on his own investigation, unfolding a story where he interacts with enigmatic figures such as Dern’s character, who is the police chief’s daughter.
Blue Velvetwas also known for its graphic sexual content, which was particularly shocking during its release in 1986. This element is part of what led to famouslypolarizing reactions toBlue Velvetupon its release. While some praised the movie’s ingenuity,others found it to be disturbing and over-the-top. This kind of divide was somewhat typical of a David Lynch film, as the director is a known risk-taker who is unafraid to challenge convention in his films.
Every David Lynch Movie Ranked Worst To Best
David Lynch is a unique director whose filmography effectively captures what dreams feel like, with movies such as Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive.
Over time,Blue Velvethas become regarded as one of the greatest and most creative films ever made. Among the 84 critics' reviews that have amassed over the years,Blue Velvethas a 95% Tomatometeron Rotten Tomatoes. As much as it “pisses off” Dern, UCLA has experienced a similar evolution withBlue Velvetas many critics have. Initially shocked by the film’s script, the school came to recognize its merit, giving the masterpiece to be studied.
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.
