Blonde Betty Elms has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with amnesia. Meanwhile, as the two set off to solve the second woman's identity, filmmaker Adam Kesher runs into ominous trouble while casting his latest project.
"Mulholland Drive" is a mysterious story about dreams, identity, and Hollywood. It follows two women, Betty and Rita, as they try to solve a mystery. You'll hear lots of everyday conversation, like asking for directions or ordering food, as well as vocabulary related to movies and acting, such as "audition," "director," and "casting." The story jumps around in time and isn't always clear, so it's a good exercise in following a complex plot. You'll also learn words for emotions like "scared," "confused," and "excited," as the characters experience these feelings throughout the film. The movie explores themes of ambition, love, and the difference between dreams and reality. It's full of emotional scenes, which can help you understand how tone of voice and word choice express feelings in English. You'll hear a range of language, from casual conversations to formal business talk, and even some slang. Pay attention to how the characters speak to each other in different situations. The movie is a bit like a puzzle, so it can help you improve your English comprehension skills by piecing together the story. While the story is complex, "Mulholland Drive" offers a lot for English learners. You’ll encounter a variety of accents and speaking styles, which is useful for understanding spoken English in the real world. Because the movie is dialogue-heavy, you'll get a lot of listening practice. Trying to understand the mystery can also improve your critical thinking skills in English. Finally, the movie's Hollywood setting provides insight into the film industry and its unique vocabulary, which can be interesting and enriching.
Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Mulholland Drive: