Just caught a screening of the new Bob Dylan inspired movie I'm Not There.
In case you're unfamiliar with it, it's the flick where Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, and Kate Blanchett all portray different aspects of Dylan's persona.
It was written and directed by Todd Haynes, best known for his films Safe, Velvet Goldmine, and Far From Heaven.
As with Velvet Goldmine, which was inspired by the "romance" between David Bowie and Iggy Pop, I'm Not There is more hallucinatory daydream than actuality, which makes it a compelly watch regardless.
The acting is top-notch with Blanchett pulling off Dylan the best (though Bale and Ledger are no slouches and neither is newcomer Ben Wishshaw).
If anything, a lot like Control (the Joy Division movie) this flick 1. made me realize that I really don't know jack about Dylan and 2. reignited my interest in the man and his music.
Definitely worth a look if you dig Dylan and like non-linear, dream like films (in many ways it reminded me of a more musical version of Big Fish crossed with early Jim Jarmusch).
My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the film felt a lot longer than it's 2 hour running time. Felt like I was in the theater for 4 hours, which is probably due to the very dreamlike quality of the narrative and the surreal look of the film.
Bookmarks