I'M NOT THERE [2007] review

January 20, 2008 · Print This Article

Most people would think by my photographs and stories that I’ve mostly or only ever traveled alone. Yet that is untrue, for on every single trip I’ve ever taken, I’ve traveled with Bob Dylan. I’M NOT THERE is the first movie I’ve ever seen about Dylan, be it fiction or documentary. For me I’ve never felt much motivation to learn more or see more of Dylan the person. He lived for me only over my car’s speakers, or my apartment’s speakers, and on his album covers. That’s all I know, and the myriad stories and legends about him only come to me as echoes from unlooked for sources.

…So all of a sudden I decided to watch I’M NOT THERE as the gimmick of the movie appealed to me–having six different actors play six different aspects of Dylan’s character or personality or image. For the most part, this gimmick worked well offering not entirely different views of Dylan, but rather changes of pace. The only one that didn’t really work for me was the Billy the Kid persona. Cate Blanchett is getting a lot of accolades for playing the “Jude Quinn” version of Dylan, and rightfully so. She has to spit out some pretty dense dialogue and not make it seem like total pretentiousness. … I now remember he has a son who was in some pop band a few years ago, Jacob maybe?

…The movie uses Dylan’s songs performed by various artists as well as Dylan himself. Fans of his music will notice the oft used style of characters speaking lyrics as dialogue that then become the soundtrack to the next cross fade scene.

…I was not surprised that “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” was the last song played before the end credits rolled. I somehow knew and felt that they would use that song in the movie.

…So, after watching I’M NOT THERE, I can’t say I really know too much more about Dylan, and I’m happy about that.

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