"I have to pee" — When Laura Dern reminisced about what David Lynch said to her during Blue Velvet filming
Laura Dern once shared a memorable story about her first meeting with filmmaker David Lynch while discussing his neo-noir masterpiece Blue Velvet.
She recounted this experience in a W Magazine YouTube video on April 25, 2017, titled "Naomi Watts, Laura Dern & Patricia Arquette Tell David Lynch Stories."
Dern fondly shared a humorous memory of meeting Lynch. She described waiting in anticipation for Lynch’s profound opening remarks, and he said,
“I have to pee."
The interview, celebrating Lynch's unique style, gained renewed attention after his passing on January 15, 2025, just before his 79th birthday. Lynch's 1986 cult classic Blue Velvet remains a defining work, renowned for its surreal storytelling.
Laura Dern’s recollections of Blue Velvet in the video
During the interview, Dern shared how her first meeting with David Lynch unfolded unexpectedly. Expecting a serious audition, she found herself immersed in casual conversations about life, high school, and meditation.
Another remarkable moment described a “chemistry lunch” with Lynch and co-star Kyle MacLachlan at Bob’s Big Boy. Over malts and fries, Lynch doodled on napkins while MacLachlan etched patterns in ketchup. These eccentricities endeared Lynch to Dern, keeping her admiration up for his vision and leadership.
Blue Velvet: The filming experience
Blue Velvet, which mixed psychological horror and film noir, was David Lynch's notable work. Dern talked about how meticulously Lynch paid attention to every detail while filming. He was extremely specific about what he wanted, from the props he used to the mood of the scenes.
In one case, he even directed while holding a loudhailer to make sure that every detail was recorded. For the actors, his hands-on involvement often made them feel as though he was a part of the scene itself.
Plot of Blue Velvet
Blue Velvet (1986), a neo-noir mystery thriller directed by David Lynch, explores psychological horror and human darkness. The story follows college student Jeffrey Beaumont, who returns to Lumberton, North Carolina, to care for his ill father.
While walking through a field, Jeffrey discovers a severed ear and reports it to the police. Sandy Williams, the detective’s daughter, suggests the ear might be linked to lounge singer Dorothy Vallens.
Intrigued, Jeffrey sneaks into Dorothy’s apartment and uncovers a disturbing truth: she is being terrorized by Frank Booth, a violent gangster holding her husband and son hostage.
Frank uses her family as a bargaining chip to get her to do what he wants, which includes being violent and degrading to her. Although Jeffrey is interested in many things, his love for both Sandy and Dorothy pulls him deeper into a web of crime and corruption.
As Jeffrey looks into Frank's business, the story gets more complicated, and he eventually finds that corrupt local police are involved. In the movie's exciting ending, Jeffrey's fight with Frank is over, and things get back to normal, though there is a feeling of unease that stays.
Blue Velvet presents how innocent small-town life can be while also showing the evil forces that are hiding below the surface.
Cast of Blue Velvet
- Kyle MacLachlan as Jeffrey Beaumont
- Isabella Rossellini as Dorothy Vallens
- Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth
- Laura Dern as Sandy Williams
- Dean Stockwell as Ben
- Hope Lange as Mrs. Pam Williams
Legacy of David Lynch
One of the most innovative filmmakers of his time, David Lynch's career spanned over five decades. Lynch made surreal films like Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive, and so on. He received numerous awards, including an Honorary Academy Award in 2019, for his dreamlike visuals and profound narratives.
Notable films by David Lynch include The Elephant Man, Dune, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, Lost Highway, The Straight Story, and Inland Empire.
David Lynch loved painting, photography, and music as well as filmmaking. He founded the David Lynch Foundation to promote mental health through Transcendental Meditation. His 2025 death left a creative void, but his work inspires audiences worldwide.
