INLAND EMPIRE for dummies part ONE.

Let's start with some basic assumptions. First of all I am just a simple dude, a peasant with wooden shoes, and if I've been able to make a comprehensible interpretation of this movie you surely can understand it. Second, the reason why you visit this board and reading this post is because you are interested in either some clarification or in other interpretations than your own. Maybe you are as stupid as I am. Don't mind, just read on. I am willing to share my thoughts with you all, because I think David Lynch wants us to do this (remember what Kingsley and Freddy said about information and possibilities). It is a beautiful thing we have this common interest; the world of David Lynch.
INLAND EMPIRE is about one story structured in such way you and me initially got the impression dealing with a bunch of short stories seemingly unrelated. But beneath the surface the mystery reveals. And emotionally we already 'know' it, but our awareness falls short. So we start digging in. Watching the movie over and over again. Analyzing details, searching for connecting elements, trying different meanings, and so on and so on ...

To cut a long story short I will try being your guide in a journey along the mystic corners in INLAND EMPIRE. There is no way anyone can explain this movie in about 10 lines. Though I can describe the plot in even less this will not increase your understanding or your awareness, and I think this is why you read these posts on this board, don't you? Of course it's nice to challenge each other in a debate about interpretations, but it will seldom increase understanding. So let's skip the debate and let's start with the journey. The regulars know I was already on my way with the first steps. For those of you left behind because of this false start I will repeat my first steps so far.

TO ACT OR NOT TO ACT THAT IS THE QUESTION

Or in simple dude's language: real or not real? I think no-one is reading this board before seeing this movie, but if this would be the case then the next activity will be a piece of cake for you.
Insert your DVD in your player and start the movie. Scan the movie in fast-forward mode and try selecting those scenes or moments looking most everyday-life-real to you. If you already find yourself an expert ask your neighbor (who's never seen this movie) to do this for you. Oops, did I forget defining what's real and what's not-real? Well, I did not, and I rather avoid an perpetual academic discussion, for we all know what's real. If you doubt about your common sense concerning your perception of reality and think you can not prove anything being real then I suggest you jump off some high cliff. Use your guts, use your think-feeling ability. Be practical. We all have an innate mechanism for surviving; it works perfectly for you've proven it by reaching this very moment in your life reading this post. This example tells all you need about reality:

A philosopher, a biologist and a physicist were sitting by a campfire chatting. All of a sudden the biologist panicked and shouted:

Run. A lion.
Both the biologist and the physicist run as fast as their legs would carry them, while the philosopher remained seated asking: Could you define LION?, and got eaten.

Are you ready with your scanning exercise? Now watch the movie again. I hope you will find yourself in some kind of unpleasant legs-split situation. Wow, you are doing great ... Watch it again and again. This movie must get stored in your brain as if remembering a vivid detailed dream. For example when I say "Gordy", you immediately recall the BBQ scene and the Lodge scene!

C'mon dude, show us 'your' reality. Okay, okay. Here it is:

ENTREE

.........

BREAKFAST

Breakfast!

GROCERIES

Hello?

DINNER

I was tryin' to save us some money.
Oh.
So now we're rich...
Because I drink this piss called beer.
What is the money for... if it won't bring something likeable?
I'm pregnant.
Oh.
You're a funny one.
I am pregnant.
What is this?
You don't seem too happy about it.
You're pregnant?
What is it?
What's wrong?
It just has come as a shock to me.

EVENING (fight)

I'm not who you think I am.
Are you listening to me?
I know it for a fact.
I can't father children.

NIGHT

Hello?
Hello.

So far so good? I guess not, because you will object, for this character is Susan Blue. Oops, I am in trouble right now. How can I possibly prove she is not Susan Blue? Well, I can NOT. In fact I can not prove any assumption to be in accordance with fact or truth. And, this is the pleasant part for me, NEITHER can you. Hey, this is childish, isn't it? So, let's reverse the logic. As in science we can only falsify statements.

Reality in INLAND EMPIRE: The Woman in Trouble lived (or lives?) in house 1358 and in the movie we see a few memories (flashbacks) of her real life, located in that house.

... to be continued.