I'm Not There
Six actors portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages in the musician's life. Chronicling Dylan's rise from unknown folksinger to international icon, the film reveals how he reinvented himself many times. Todd Haynes directs this stylized portrait, the first biography approved by the singer-songwriter. Marcus Carl Franklin, Ben Whishaw, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett (in an Oscar-nominated role) star.
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Do you have to be a Dylan fan to like this? Tara watched it and she thought it was ok. I watched and felt like I was watching an episode of Lost b/c there were so many nods and trivia notes. I am a Dylan fan, this is an avant-garde exploration of who Dylan is. I would like to see it again to really get into it.- Jai in Nashville
If you are a student of Dylan, this film is a great study. If not, it will only seem like a drug induced dream. It's like an inside joke, great if you "get it"...but awkward if you don't.
- Mister C
My buddy Ian loves Bob Dylan and likes some pretty odd movies, but he said he turned this off in the middle, unable to watch it. So I didn't have high hopes -- i really am not a big Dylan fan and not even really a Todd Haynes fan. So i found it odd that i couldn't turn it off. It's a remarkable biography, innovative and cool to watch. Few have lead such interesting and varied lives such as Dylan that it would take 6 great actors to expose the various facets of his personality and history. Anyway, i agree that people will love or hate this. Dylan fan or not. I liked it, not loved it, but I still think that if you're curious, rent it.
- droidmaker
"I'm not there" is simply brilliant and creative. This biopic portrays the many reinventions of Bob Dylan. He is first portrayed an 11 year old black boy named Woody who is full of ideals and hopes (and lies as well); his life is a made-up tale that is quickly uncovered personifying Dylan's stories about himself when he first started. He is then portrayed by Christian Bale as a born-again singer (Christian Bale). Ben Wishaw plays a poet who is being interrogated by unseen authorities as to why he has stop protesting. He is also a sort of narrator to this movie. Heath Ledger plays the actor Jack Rollins who struggles with fame and maintaining his family. Cate Blanchett plays the despondent, drugged out Jude that is unwilling to answer any questions of journalists. He is later portrayed by Richard Gere as an outlaw, living in anonymity. Each character personifies a part of, a stage of Dylan's life. My favorite parts of this movie were Cate Blanchett's and Winshaw's interpretations of their characters. They were thoroughly portrayed and provided a very revealing take on the movie. This is a film that I really enjoyed.
- Goddess
A fine example of film as art, this prismatic examination of the lives & times of Bob Dylan is not for the casual viewer. The more you know about Dylan's life, the more you will appreciate this film. Full of great performances, notably the late Heath Ledger and Cate Blanchett, this is a good one to watch on a Sunday afternoon when you don't have to be anywhere for awhile.
- Chucky
When I first heard about this movie just as it was released, I was concerned it was a "gimmick" movie. In other words, the kind of movie where the director does something strange to get press attention, and more importantly to distract from severe weaknesses in the film. I could not have been more wrong. Yes, it is very bizarre to have six actors play one person, but in this movie, it is a strong, amazing choice. Before I watched this movie I had not been completely impressed with Todd Haynes as a director. Also, I had not really paid much attention to Bob Dylan. I don't think I could have named more than a few of his songs, let alone be able to go over the lyrics to them. However, this movie makes me say this: I hereby retract anything negative I have ever said or thought about Todd Haynes, and I am completely amazed at the work of Bob Dylan and I am, solely because of this movie, going to find out more and listen to his music more. I can't imagine higher praise for a biopic than that. This movie is better than any other movie released in 2007. Easily.
- Luscious Dick
I was looking up "over-rated" in the dictionary and was surprised to find "I'm Not There" used as an example...
- HaggieSF
It is definitely ambitious and I admire Todd Haynes attempt to do something different; however, if you are not already knowledgeable of Bob Dylan you will probably not enjoy this. The movie jumps back and forth and at times is hard to follow. I really wanted to like this film, but it sadly didn't really work for me.
- Brody
I'm Not There is, arguably, Todd Haynes most successful work. And, more likely than not, the majority of the film-going public will reject this work. It's a complex film, there is no story arc, and a vague association with Bob Dylan, an association that is more aptly picked up by a Dylan fanatic. A viewer with a strong familiarity with Dylan will note how some images are images from songs, and that the dialogue often quotes Dylan's songs or interviews (the opening scene with Marcus Carl Franklin hoping onto a boxcar is nearly all lyrics from the Self Titled album). But beyond what the film has to say about Dylan it is an intelligent and thought provoking film, if not entirely successful. The chosen approach of rejecting the template for a biopic, a format where no one is Bob Dylan, and everyone is Bob Dylan, is intriguing in a way that most filmmakers would never think of. The films fragmented, blurred vision of the pieces of a life adds up to so much more than its episodic surface alludes to. It says so much about the modern world, celebrity, notoriety and success that it's hard not to begin to fall in love with the film. Yet at the same time, the fragmented nature of the film hides some of the flaws, namely that some sections are underdeveloped and assume a familiarity with Dylan that will make many viewers lose track of the significance of scenes, shots and edits. It also hides the inconsistencies of the filmmaking and writing that certain sections are rife with. Nonetheless, it is one of the most intriguing and unique features to come out in years.
- Dlukenelson
This movie is extremely challenging on many many levels. It is challenging to watch. Nothing is set on the table in black and white. It is an artsy symbolic jumble of gray that must be cyphered to make sense of the message; and then further explicated to find the parallel, the allegorical portrait, of the life of Bob Dylan. If you like to be puzzled and enjoy being forced to work out meaning point and message of a movie, you may enjoy this. It takes much more than just a Bob Dylan fan. Much of the movie will be lost on most audiences unless you truly a Dylan Fanatic. Its a love it or hate it film and most people will know which they are going to be just by reading these reviews. Yes, I enjoy the music the man and even the era. I also enjoy the process of working to sort out a message and still I found this movie exhausting, to think through. It is slow, and it is long but in some ways it is brilliant. The performances by a great cast are impressive and the music is sensational. For some people this move will make them feel smart. To say "I get it," may satisfy some people but unless you love both the era and the abstract poetic style you may find the movie to be more work than its worth. Regardless what you decide, let this be a warning the movie is not for everyone. Hope this is Helpful!
- Phatz
This snorer should have been called "The Trial, Execution, Redemption and Deification of Saint Bob Dylan By The Coward Todd Haynes." The only way this film could have been mildly interesting would be if Haynes had done an utter character assassination with Dylan kicking babies and engaging in callous sexual misadventures with underage fans of both sexes. That never would have happened, though -- Dylan's ability to withhold song pernissions guaranteed a hagiography. -- utter BS like this film is. How tragically ironic that Haynes started out with Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, the most honest show-biz chronicle ever, which he could only make by totally ignoring the Carpenters' song rights, the Carprnter family, and by going completely against the grain in every way possible. NONE of that to be seen here!
- cwg 307492
I'M NOT THERE earns three stars from me just for Cate Blanchett's performance as Jude, which represents Dylan during his electric phase and his tour of England. Don't ask me to explain this movie, because I can't. It is a kaleidoscope of images and half-scenes, each representing a fragment of Dylan's elusive persona. There is no cohesive through-line, and if you're uncomfortable with ambiguity this one's not for you. In fact, it would help if you'd bone up on your knowledge of Dylan legend and lore before watching this movie. Otherwise, most of the scenes will definitely not make sense. I understood all of the personae except for Billy the Kid, which seemed out of place to me. Do I understand Bob Dylan any better after watching this? Nah. If anything, the film makes him more of an enigma.
- Firewater