LYNCH'S 'DRIVE' DELIVERS FEVERISH, BRILLIANT RIDE.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

David Lynch's ``Mulholland Drive'' is as snaky as its namesake hillside thoroughfare. It is a sexy, surrealistic fever dream that is, among other things, about dreams themselves, specifically the fantasies that Hollywood promotes and fabricates. It's a gorgeous film, resplendent in its mysterious images, but then Lynch has always been a master at mood.

What makes ``Mulholland Drive'' such a stunning achievement is that Lynch has found a way to take his themes of alienation, voyeurism and claustrophobia, filter them through his freaky imagination and still come up with a story that not only resonates deeply, but also fills in most of the blanks of logic.

Notice we said ``most.'' Lynch, being Lynch, still throws in some bizarre scenes and subplots just for perverse fun, although maybe after watching ``Mulholland Drive'' again (the movie begs for repeated viewings, and it's so good, you'll gladly indulge), all of the dots connect in some strange way. There's one certainty at work here: This is one movie that will burrow into your mind and linger there for a very long time.

The film, with its detective story, beautiful heroines and eerie Angelo Badalementi score, is mildly reminiscent of Lynch's ``Twin Peaks.'' In fact, Lynch intended ``Mulholland Drive'' for television. When ABC rejected it, Lynch went back to the drawing board, found some funding and fleshed out the material. But the tell-tale signs of its TV origins remain - short scenes, dramatic close-ups, episodic plot threads and seemingly prominent characters that disappear without a trace. (Two top-billed actors - Robert Forster and Dan Hedaya - appear in only one scene apiece.)

The movie's digressive nature makes a routine plot summary pointless. Let's just say that ``Mulholland Drive'' concerns an amnesiac woman named Rita (Laura Harring), who takes her name upon seeing a poster for Rita Hayworth's ``Gilda'' (the femme fatale similarities between the two characters are no coincidence). After a failed attempt on her life, Rita finds herself hiding in a glamorous, old-Hollywood bungalow where she meets Betty (Naomi Watts, delivering the acting performance of the year), a perky ingenue newly arrived from Deep River, Ontario.

Betty dreams of being an actress. But she also has obviously spent a lot of time reading mysteries and detective stories (judging, at least initially, from her pertness, she must have loved the ``Nancy Drew'' series), and she's determined to help Rita find her identity. Rita possesses two obvious clues: a purse stuffed full with cash and a blue key. ``C'mon, it'll be just like the movies!'' Betty says. And off they go.

And it is just like the movies in so many ways. Lynch has built much of his reputation for this ability to look at the seamy underbelly of Middle America, but Hollywood is a place he obviously truly knows - and loathes. ``Mulholland Drive'' is filled to the brim with images and set pieces that skewer movies, from Mafia-style studio moguls to vacuous, self-absorbed directors to the absurdity of privilege that stardom affords. (In a classic cameo, long-time Lynch collaborator Badalementi plays a studio chieftain with a very particular taste for espresso.)

Near the end of the movie, Lynch turns his characters' dreams into a surrealistic, fragmented nightmare in which identities change, relationships sour and cruelty triumphs. The sudden turn of events may seem arbitrary if you haven't been paying attention, but the resulting events are deeply moving and deeply emblematic of the way Hollywood betrays, humiliates and discards its dreamers.

It adds up to a movie that is stunning in its power, amazing in its imagery and surprisingly affecting in its message. ``Mulholland Drive'' may not convert many people to the David Lynch fan club, but if you're already a member, you'll want to let the experience wash over you again and again. It's an astonishing movie-going experience.

``MULHOLLAND DRIVE''

(Rated R: violence, language, nudity and some strong sexuality)

The stars: Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring.

Behind the scenes: Written and directed by David Lynch. Released by Universal Pictures.

Running time: Two hours, 26 minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Four stars