lynch have very high artistic integrity . lynch will never tell u what any of his film be about if indeed he know or would ever admit that a film might be about something in particular . there can be no evaluation of any specific interpretive approach . there must be such an approach and whether conscious or not . lynch would likely disagree . he right and some of the disappointed review express here by his fan be nice example of why this be so . i be sure he would also understand and agree with my rebuttal who care and it fun when fan either gush about the brilliance of a piece of work or resort to name call ( pretentious hipster . ) and the film be and like most work of art and not go to allow much of a middle ground . a lot of smart and well write review here on imdb treat the technical aspect of the film . this review be not about how the film be do and but rather what the film do . if you haven not see the film and try this review on . if it doesn not fit and then i can not recommend see inland empire . if you do keep reading and get it into your head that there be no spoiler here and really . the interpretation offer below be not even an opinion it be simply a facile and creative construct i use heuristically for talk about the film after my first viewing . if you have see this film and you will probably view the interpretation below a too simplistic that be and if you get it . that fine . i do not care and but feel free to send me a note if you want to discuss it . keep in mind a i state above i be simply use this interpretation a a mean for discussion . don not take it too seriously and i really do not care to defend this . laura dern should win two academy award for inland empire for best actress a nikki and for best support actress a nikki role of a lifetime susan . but she would not get nominate because this film will be systematically ignore by the mainstream . why bring up act talent so early in the review . because this inherently non linear film ( though it be more linear and plot driven than eraserhead and mulholland drive and lose highway ) offer one of many possible ( possibly an infinite number of ) linear interpretation the film be or could be about act and lose one identity in a role . it could all be go on in dern or nikki or susan head a she come to grip with what she be do in the three level of reality portray . if this particular interpretation be choose and the free association between the role play by the polish actress or victim or perpetrator of the film 47 and that play by dern actress or victim or perpetrator in blue sky create a meta text which and though unseen and unexplicated throughout the film and nevertheless identifies it subject a the disassociation and power of performance and creativity in the production of fiction or reality or drama . this interpretation be suggest by all of the many seemingly out of place and jarring detail in the film the usual red herring lynch throw at u to suggest that there may be some linear subtext in all of the sensual experience offer by his sumptuous and immersive film . scene from the polish film reenactment of the film by susan possibly in her dream or fantasy the placement of the polish actress into a couple seemingly disparate and unconnected role ( which and in fact make the creation of blue sky and the folklore surround it predecessor 47 unite at a different interpretative level ) the rabbit people perform within the television with an incoherent but suggestive script and an absurd laugh track and especially their audience ( key to this interpretation because of it chronological placement in the narrative and the identity of the viewer ) . nikki opening and closing scene and grace zabriskie foreshadow which identify closure for the meta plot . the seemingly anachronistic white noise and record cutting scene and sound cue and which occur at crucial transition between the alternative reality inhabit by nikki disassociate personality . if any of you find this interpretation compelling and would like to hear more about it and feel free to send a note . it be and in my opinion and just as worthless a any other interpretation of art probably well leave unexpressed and unexplained . but if have something linear to talk about help you and you be welcome to further pursue it . do not mistake this interpretation a an opinion . i have no opinion concern the plot of this film . for my part and i completely understand the film through and or or without the interpretation above . which pathway to the palace ( be it alan smithee house on the set . ) i might choose and whether through the back alley or the front entrance to the studio ( a the interpretation above offer ) i get it just a i always get lynch more than most director . for fellow admirer of lynch represent imo and this be a more coherent film than eraserhead and a more upbeat and enjoyable film than lose highway and a less commercial film than mulholland drive ( though it do bear some thematic resemblance largely because both film be overt self referential interpretation of american medium culture ) . you might talk about it for hour afterward and but this discussion will mostly only help you to know the people you attend it with well . let it pour through your mind and soul . no profitable comparison to lynch more linear film can be make and although and on a second viewing of ie i may wish to spend some time think about the connection between the exploitation theme in elephant man and this film . of course and the directing and camera work and and especially the sound design be flawless . go without say .