I'm Not There (2007)

77% of critics liked it
(156 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(111,111 ratings)

Director Todd Haynes' unconventional biopic of the legendary singer/songwriter Bob Dylan features different actors playing the part of the Minnesota native at various stages of his remarkable career. Among the actors playing the singer are Cate Blanchett, who portrays the man during his Don't Look… More Director Todd Haynes' unconventional biopic of the legendary singer/songwriter Bob Dylan features different actors playing the part of the Minnesota native at various stages of his remarkable career. Among the actors playing the singer are Cate Blanchett, who portrays the man during his Don't Look Back era incarnation; Heath Ledger, as an actor playing one of the fictional Dylans in a movie within the movie; Christian Bale, as the Dylan beginning to chafe at being associated so strongly with political causes; Richard Gere, portraying the post-motorcycle accident period; and Marcus Carl Franklin as the young Dylan who passed himself off as the second coming of Woody Guthrie. Each section of the film not only has a different lead actor, but offers different looks that reflect various aspects of popular culture at the time. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Todd Haynes
Written By: Todd Haynes, Oren Moverman
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 21, 2007 Wide
On DVD: May 6, 2008
Studio: The Weinstein Co.

Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli, ReelViews
There are those who will applaud what Haynes and his actors have accomplished, and I can understand its appeal on an intellectual level. But I am not a supporter of film without form or art without structure.
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer
For Better or Worse, Todd Haynes' 'I'm Not There' Reinvents the Biopic Genre
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
How does it feeeel? Like a rolling shambles, much of it, and even a second viewing doesn't erase the sensation.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
To enjoy I'm Not There you should be just a little bit Dylan-crazy, fascinated by his talent, ornery personality and enduring cultural influence.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I think it's really interesting stuff and I enjoyed every aspect of it.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It doesn't all work and it runs too long. But every fragment of Dylan's life, every version of him, from the funny to the tippy, rings true.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
I'm Not There is a very special kind of life and times. It leaves ordinary musical biopics like Ray and Walk the Line and Beyond the Sea in the dust.
Ian Buckwalter, DCist
Haynes' film has no straight lines, it is all collage and pastiche and an endless series of intersections that all, quite improbably, lead to a startlingly accurate (if abstracted) vision of the many faces of Dylan.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Where is the defiant, sensuous expansiveness of Dylan's songs?
Tony Macklin, Fayetteville Free Weekly
I'm Not There is coy and fatuous, but it also can be intriguing and thought-provoking. But I'm Not There makes us consider Dylan with new eyes.
Rossiter Drake, San Francisco Examiner
Abstract expressionism, paying tribute to its hero in a fashion every bit as enigmatic and chameleon-like as the man himself. Is it a faux-documentary? Is it a biographical drama? At times, it is both. In the end, we are left with an ambitious misfire.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Full of Dylanology, Dylanography and Dylanerbole... if that's your thing
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
The director's disappointment in Dylan's downward metamorphosis from outlaw poet, prophet and political idealist to cynic, egotist, wasted stoner, Jesus freak and recluse, is palpable, with a symbolic dirge for a body that has outlived its art.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
The director's disappointment in Dylan's downward metamorphosis from outlaw poet, prophet and political idealist to cynic, egotist, wasted stoner, Jesus freak and recluse, is palpable, with a symbolic dirge for a body that has outlived its art.
Staci Layne Wilson, Buzzine Magazine
A true art film stuffed with substance and subtext, I'm Not There is a rare and refreshing cinematic experience indeed.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
If you're looking for a definitive DVD, a combination of movie and making-of material that redefines and expands on the overall experience, (the) new two disc version of I'm Not There is it.
Alonso Duralde, MSNBC
Haynes is brilliant at tearing off the top of his own head and giving audiences a peek into his pop obsessions.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Not particularly entertaining or enlightening, but it is slow-moving and long.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Uma das cinebiografias mais atípicas e, por isto mesmo, mais fiéis ao espírito criativo de seu biografado que já tive o prazer de assistir.
Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review
Director Todd Haynes takes an artistic leap, I just don't want to catch all of the finished product.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

I have spent a week contemplating what to say about this movie and still I'm left speechless. I'll always be left speechless, I think. This might be the first movie I've been left simultaneously awed and confused as hell. And by awed I mean AWED the highest extent of… More
I have spent a week contemplating what to say about this movie and still I'm left speechless. I'll always be left speechless, I think. This might be the first movie I've been left simultaneously awed and confused as hell. And by awed I mean AWED the highest extent of the word. Of course I've got to give credit to ALL the Bob Dylans, not just Cate Blanchett. Each aspect of Dylan's character could be a stand-alone story by itself. Heath Ledger's story in particular made me cry because it was so beautiful and sad and flustered and self-assured all at once. I love how Haynes enmeshes each discrete style with a particular embodiment of Dylan, from grainy documentary to 8 1/2 Fellini to crackly b&w to expansive Western. The music is so perfectly selected, it's magical. Haynes is a true auteur: methodical, original, and COOL. I cannot believe freaking Jason Reitman got an Oscar nomination when there's genius like Haynes lying around. But I'm Not There will remain at the selectively viewed area like all art films, like it or not. I don't really understand it, but that is part of the appeal. I WANT to understand. Please help me understand, Bob Dylan.
Chris W

I could be wrong, but I believe this is probably the most challenging and befuddling film I've ever seen. Be warned though, this is not a "straight" bio-pic about Dylan, and the unconventional manner in which things are done will likely simultaneously frustrate and… More
I could be wrong, but I believe this is probably the most challenging and befuddling film I've ever seen. Be warned though, this is not a "straight" bio-pic about Dylan, and the unconventional manner in which things are done will likely simultaneously frustrate and excite those who experience it: just like Dylan himself. Unique is a great word to describe the man and this film. It's quite ambitious, and, really, probably the only way to capture the man on film (aside from legit documentaries or concert films). SUmmarzining this film isn't easy, and it really doesn't provide much insight or answers, but I'm pretty sure that's the point. I wonder what the man himself thinks of this? Aside from song credits at the end and an opening label which states, "Inspired by the music and many lives of Bob Dylan", the name Bob Dylan is not once spoken or seen during thr film. For that ,and the way this movie unfolds, I give a big salute. That's ballsy. I mean, this is made by the same guy who made a movie about Karen Carpenter starring Barbie dolls, which in itself is unique, but to make a movie about a man and not really do it, and do so unapologetically- that takes true courage, The more you know about Bob Dylan, and the more you like and are familiar with his work, the better whe nit comes to this film. While it's not impossible for someone unfamiliar with Dylan to see this movie and get into him afterwards, it seems unlikely. I'm neither a newbie or a diehard, so some of the references and easter eggs (of which there are an uncalculable amount) went over my head, but I got a lot out of this nonetheless. One of the most talked about aspects of this movie is how six people (seven if you think the narrator counts) are cast as Dylan, por rather, various aspects of his life, career, and persona. The title of the film is probably the most appropriate film title I've seen in quite some time. So, given the enigmatic nature of the man and the movie, you can argue that the point is that it's not about him, and it's not supposed to be, but it's really about perceptions of the artist instead. The casting choice is truly inspired: the six people are made up of 5 adults, 1 youth, 5 males, 1 female, 4 caucasians, one African American, 2 Auusies, a Brit, someone who's Welsh, and two Americans. If you count the narrator, you need to add 1 white American man to the totals. Marcus Carl Franklin and Richard Gere represent young and old mythological tall tale aspects of the entity in question. Christian Bale represents both the acoustic folk and (later) born again Christian eras. LEdger makes up the personal and romantic aspects of the life, while Whishaw represents an elliptical trickster providing responses to questions. The one who garnered the most attention, and who truly steals the show, is Cate Blanchett. She represents the Mid-sixties era which included "turning electric" and being involved in a motorcycle accident that may have been anything but that. All of them do an excellent job, but the ones who shine thje most are Frnaklin and Blanchett and that's not just because they are a woman and a black kid. LEdger and Bale tie one another when it comes to how they rank. Whishaw is good, just not used too much. GEre is good, but just underwhelming. The sequences involving him are just too tedious and uninteresting to me. One could say the same about the Bale sequences since it's obvious Haynes doesn't dwell on them enough, instead focusing on the Blanchett stuff, which is the most interesting. Once again, I'll make a comparison to Dylan by saying that the film eschews traditional notions about how something is done (or should be), and presents things in a non-linear, elliptical style which uses different shooting styles, color, B & W, documentary style, etc. As I said earlier, this makes things very frustrating and hard to get into, but yet, it all kinda works somehow, well, almost. As a "movie" this doesn't work at all, kind of like "The Passion of the Christ". If you view this as an experimental art piece, it's better, but not a masterpiece. Same with "The Passion..". It works well as an "experience", but not as something else. If you've read this far into it, you should know whether or not this is for you. I'll admit that I did get a little bored, and some of it is tedious and drags here and there (the film idoesn't need to be 135 mins), but I was floored by what I was seeing. Now that I think about it, Dylan probably does get a kick out of this. We'll never know though, just like the truth about him. The movie blends fact with fiction, making it hard to discern truth and reality, and in a way ,that's good, because it spoils the mystery and the puzzle- the answer to which is probably very disappointing and underwhelming anyway. I've rambled enough about this, but it's hard to really say something concrete and definitive about this- just like how it is with the real Bob Dylan, who or whatever that may be.... ;)
Drew S

A bold, batshit film, and a perfect way to illustrate a man's life while barely discussing it at all. I don't know anything about Bob Dylan, but seeing all of these unusual stories, and unable to discern what was fact and what was Todd Haynes' imagination, I really felt… More
A bold, batshit film, and a perfect way to illustrate a man's life while barely discussing it at all. I don't know anything about Bob Dylan, but seeing all of these unusual stories, and unable to discern what was fact and what was Todd Haynes' imagination, I really felt like I understood the image that Dylan tries to portray and all of its connotations. What I liked most about I'm Not There was its unconventional portrayal of a person trying to remain enigmatic, and ultimately failing, in the face of enormous fame. Cate Blanchett's section, where she channels a main who deliberately presents himself as obtusely and infuriatingly as possible, reinforces this theme especially well. Even better is how well it folds into Heath Ledger's chapter, where we get a portrait of a man clearly drunk on his own fame and admittedly unique talents, a bullish intellectual with a clear-headed foil near him to see how wrong he truly is (Charlotte Gainsbourg, my 2009 MVP and giving a surprisingly stunning performance here). In fact, all of the sections of the film are intertwined in creative and subtle ways, creating not so much a linear biography, but an imagined cross-section that attempts to delve into a mysterious brain. This is the movie La Vie En Rose wishes it could be. The cast is uniformly on-point here, although some parts of the movie don't quite work as well as others. It may be my disdain for Richard Gere speaking, but the end of the film just doesn't do it for me, despite the nihilism and seclusion generally fitting well with everything that follows in this fantasy parade. I think this is a great experiment that anyone could get on board with, provided they have the patience to think about WHY it has been assembled; it's, more than a lot of movies, like a puzzle, a collection of totally senseless pieces coming together in unusual ways to form a coherent composite. Recommended for anyone, but especially to Dylan fans.
Curtis L

I'd have enjoyed it more if I knew anything about Bob Dylan. I loved the approach to this film, and the meaning behind it. Unfortunately it was far too long and drawn out, and after a while I felt like I was watching a David Lynch movie. Cate Blanchett did a steller job… More
I'd have enjoyed it more if I knew anything about Bob Dylan. I loved the approach to this film, and the meaning behind it. Unfortunately it was far too long and drawn out, and after a while I felt like I was watching a David Lynch movie. Cate Blanchett did a steller job playing a man.
Anthony L

I like a bit of Bob Dylan now and again but my lack of knowledge on the singer, or should I say, due to the fact I'm not completely obsessed by the man, I found this film a little hard to follow at times. That's said, the direction and performances were fantastic. I liked… More
I like a bit of Bob Dylan now and again but my lack of knowledge on the singer, or should I say, due to the fact I'm not completely obsessed by the man, I found this film a little hard to follow at times. That's said, the direction and performances were fantastic. I liked the concept too but it?s not original, it was executed in a much better way in a film called Palindromes, which is a much better film.
Lady D

This film was a brave attempt, but it easily causes confusion. It?s very arty in it?s interpretation, which works well if you have an understanding of that interpretation from the beginning, otherwise you will find yourself lost throughout the film. Ironically none of the Actors… More
This film was a brave attempt, but it easily causes confusion. It?s very arty in it?s interpretation, which works well if you have an understanding of that interpretation from the beginning, otherwise you will find yourself lost throughout the film. Ironically none of the Actors used looked like Dylan (as it seems was intentional) apart from Cate Blanchett, who at times did resemble the iconic star and was without doubt the best version. What bothers me is as a fan of Bob Dylan is that I found the film was more about the film style than Dylan itself, which pleased me as a film fan, but not a Dylan fan. Also the film isn't particularly revealing in a conventional sense. I believe the different sides of Dylan came across well, but with a loss of content somehow, I hardly know anything more about Dylan than before I watched the film. It almost seems like a working progress.
Chris G

I'm Not There is the biography of Bob Dylan. And it isn't. Now you're probably wondering what in the hell I'm talking about, so let me explain. The film takes segments of Dylan's life and rewrites them into little stories that are related to each other... and… More
I'm Not There is the biography of Bob Dylan. And it isn't. Now you're probably wondering what in the hell I'm talking about, so let me explain. The film takes segments of Dylan's life and rewrites them into little stories that are related to each other... and not. Writer/director Todd Haynes gives us a film that isn't your typical music bio-pic, but something that's just as much of an enigma as Bob Dylan himself is.In this case six Bobs are better than one and with the cast that's playing Dylan(s) you can't really go wrong with this flick.
Sanjaya &

Well, to be honest, I must admit that I didn't get the story so well... I even pretty confused with how the story work in this movie... But luckily. this movie had a great and brilliant cast so I'm not too bored with the story because all of them been put on some good… More
Well, to be honest, I must admit that I didn't get the story so well... I even pretty confused with how the story work in this movie... But luckily. this movie had a great and brilliant cast so I'm not too bored with the story because all of them been put on some good performances here... Especially for Cate Blanchett... She's outstanding I think, and she really deserved an Oscar for that performance... A really great performance I think... Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Richard Gere, been trying to put on some good performances here, but I thought it wasn't enough... They were good, but not outstanding, yet it's not their best... The most notable performance comes from Marcus Carl Franklin I think... Even he is the youngest of 6 main actors of this movie, but I think he shows a really good potential there... A nice one... Overall, it's not a great movie, not bad either, it just helps by the cast performances... Especially from Cate Blanchett, I really love that, and she deserved a lot of awards for that role I think...
Arash X

Overrated, There are a few good things & the main idea is great but I didn't like the formation & the movie is not satisfying at all, I expected more from the director of a great movie like Velvet Goldmine
Manu G

The movie was kinda dull, I didn't like it that much. The movie is good but not my type. Since arriving in New York City?s folk music scene in the 1960s, American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has become a major figure in popular music, influencing millions with his chart topping… More
The movie was kinda dull, I didn't like it that much. The movie is good but not my type. Since arriving in New York City?s folk music scene in the 1960s, American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has become a major figure in popular music, influencing millions with his chart topping songs. His records have earned Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Awards, and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. This film is ruminations on the life of Bob Dylan, where seven characters embody a different aspect of the musician's life and work.
Michael G

First and foremost--if you're not a Bob Dylan fan do not bother seeing I'm Not There. You either love the man or don't and if nothing else, this movie is a perfect reflection of him in that respect alone. I don't know if I'd call this movie a portrayal so much… More
First and foremost--if you're not a Bob Dylan fan do not bother seeing I'm Not There. You either love the man or don't and if nothing else, this movie is a perfect reflection of him in that respect alone. I don't know if I'd call this movie a portrayal so much as a celebration of Dylan and his nearly 50-year spanning body of work. Todd Haynes as always made a beautiful movie (namely with the Woodie Guthrie and Billy the Kid segments) and the acting was brilliant--namely the performances from Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett. Knowing what I know about Dylan I didn't see the point of a few of the segments (namely Gere's, Ledger's and Whishaw's) as well done as they were. Don't expect a biopic or even a coherent storyline because you're not going to get them. Your best bet for enjoying this movie is to just sit back and enjoy after you've left your expectations at the door.
Lanning :

My friend Simon suggested this one because he knows I'm a big fan. Given a body of work which includes "And death shall have no dominion" and perhaps his best known piece, "Do not go gentle into that good night," I just had to -- "What?"… More
My friend Simon suggested this one because he knows I'm a big fan. Given a body of work which includes "And death shall have no dominion" and perhaps his best known piece, "Do not go gentle into that good night," I just had to -- "What?" Sorry, friends, Elmo is trying to tell me something. Hold on. "Say what? . . . Really? Bob Dylan. Shoots. I thought this one was about Dylan Thomas. . . . What do you mean you don't know who that is. Dylan Thomas, the great Welsh poet. What do they teach you guys over there on Sesame Street? . . . Well, no, I guess I wasn't paying too much attention to the movie. Bob Dylan, huh? Now that you mention it, the music did sound familiar. I have to try to pay attention. I'm no multi-tasker. I think I'd better watch it again, Elmo. Fire up the DVD player." Sorry, flixsters, before I write my review, I have to watch the movie again. I didn't know it was about that Dylan, but that's okay, I'm a big fan of his too. I'll be back. Update: That's what I get for working on Facebook while a movie is running. Okay, so now I can clearly see that this one is about Bob Dylan, not Dylan Thomas. If there's one thing I appreciate more than anything about I'm not There, it's the soundtrack -- even when other folks are covering The Bob. This is definitely worth one watch for Cate Blanchette's amazing performance. She really does out-Bob Bob. Other than that, we'll it's . . . uh . . . how about . . . hmmm . . . intellectually stimulating. Ah, well, not really. It's clever. See it for Blanchette, and then see Bob in concert to see the currently "real" Bob, or music and concert videos from his past incarnations to see the "real" Bob of that particular moment in time. Yes, Bob Dylan evolves. So do we all.
Tim S

I'm not sure I "got" this entire movie, but I appreciate it a lot. Although Cate Blanchett does an amazing job, I think Heath Ledger and Charlotte Gainsbourg give the strongest performances. Todd Haynes and Ed Lachman make the film look great and the scene where Jim… More
I'm not sure I "got" this entire movie, but I appreciate it a lot. Although Cate Blanchett does an amazing job, I think Heath Ledger and Charlotte Gainsbourg give the strongest performances. Todd Haynes and Ed Lachman make the film look great and the scene where Jim James sings Goin to Acapulco gave me chills.
Fernando Rafael Q

This film had so much potential, but i think it was nearly wrecked by Haynes' directing style and his overly philosophic script (clearly, I'm not a Haynes fan). The photography and editing are wonderful, the film is eye candy and the actors are amazing. Here are the Dylans… More
This film had so much potential, but i think it was nearly wrecked by Haynes' directing style and his overly philosophic script (clearly, I'm not a Haynes fan). The photography and editing are wonderful, the film is eye candy and the actors are amazing. Here are the Dylans in order of awesomeness (in this particular performance): 1. CATE BLANCHETT, 2. CHRISTIAN BALE, 3. BEN WHISHAW, 4. HEATH LEDGER, 5. RICHARD GERE, 6. MARCUS CARL FRANKLIN. Charlotte Gainsbourg (not as Bob Dylan), was great, too.
Dean M

This drama is a fantasia, a tell-all, a biopic that's all high points, a folk-rock esay and a dream, all wrapped into one. I like three characters inspired by the talented folk singer Bob Dylan the best are Jude Quinn (Cate Blanchett), Robbie Clark (Heath Ledger) and Billy the… More
This drama is a fantasia, a tell-all, a biopic that's all high points, a folk-rock esay and a dream, all wrapped into one. I like three characters inspired by the talented folk singer Bob Dylan the best are Jude Quinn (Cate Blanchett), Robbie Clark (Heath Ledger) and Billy the Kid (Richard Gere) as these actors give very human performance in a series of shifting persone.
Emile T

Cate Blanchett. Heath Ledger. Christian Bale. Beautiful. I loved that movie. Ok, I didn't quite get everything, because I didn't know Bob Dylan at all, but the movie itself and its magnificent actors were completely awesome.
Jose Z

I'm not there shows as it is said in the movie the many lives of Bob Dylan. Six different faces portraying various aspects of of the life of this famous artist. They have been made a lot of biopics of singers, actors and others throughout the years, some are good some others bad… More
I'm not there shows as it is said in the movie the many lives of Bob Dylan. Six different faces portraying various aspects of of the life of this famous artist. They have been made a lot of biopics of singers, actors and others throughout the years, some are good some others bad but I'm sure that this one is one of the best all-time. Directed by Todd Haynes, the movie has a slow rhythm but it never gets tired, the photography is excellent, the music is wonderful each story has a different Bob Dylan song that reflects perfectly ans space where the movie is. The cast is amazing, six actors characterized as Bob Dylan (Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere and Cate Blanchett) everyone with flawless performances, specially Blanchett who earned an Oscar nomination for this role and in my opinion she deserved to win. The secondary roles like the ones of Jullianne Moore and Charlotte Gainsbourg give very good support performances. In conclusion, this movie is for true Bob Dylan fans, if you're not one of them well anyway go and see it because you could learn some facts about his life.
Stella D

a brave attempt to portray the many faces of bob dylan using six different actors filmed in different styles. while not entirely successful, there are many great sequences and cate blanchett is brilliant as the sixties era dylan. i can't help but wonder what dylan made of all… More
a brave attempt to portray the many faces of bob dylan using six different actors filmed in different styles. while not entirely successful, there are many great sequences and cate blanchett is brilliant as the sixties era dylan. i can't help but wonder what dylan made of all this but he thought enough of it to give the filmmakers rights to his music, without which this woulda been a disaster. definitely worth seeing for fans
Christopher M

I'm really glad a traditional biopic wasn't the aim for I'm Not There, a film about legendary musician Bob Dylan - because Dylan is a hard person to define, and, indeed, this film is supposed to portray (as it states in the credits) the "many lives of Dylan".… More
I'm really glad a traditional biopic wasn't the aim for I'm Not There, a film about legendary musician Bob Dylan - because Dylan is a hard person to define, and, indeed, this film is supposed to portray (as it states in the credits) the "many lives of Dylan". And in a very brilliant move, each version of Dylan is played by a different actor; you have Cate Blanchett, Ben Whishaw, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Marcus Carl Franklin, and Richard Gere. So, instead of the traditional biopic (which is often a dud, see Ray), what I'm Not There delivers, from director Todd Haynes, is a surreal pastiche of many of the different "characters" Bob Dylan has played throughout his life, and through his music (which thankfully plays a significant role in the film). It's pure inventiveness and I can pretty much guarantee you haven't ever seen a film like it. It's hard to quantify all the actors playing Dylan, as they're all working towards different things and are all excellent in their own way - Cate Blanchett really does deserve special mention though, for being able to embody the spirit of Dylan so completely. The rest of the cast , with the exception of a couple characters, is good but fleeting. Charlotte Gainsbourg is great, though, and I'm completely in love with her after this (she was also in 21 Grams). I also have to mention David Cross's portrayal of poet Allen Ginsberg - this is ten shades of awesome; I love David Cross and to see him playing one of my favourite poets was one of the best things about the film for me. I think this film could be interesting to anyone (if a tad confusing to the pedestrian movie-goer), but especially if you're a Dylan fan, this film is essential viewing. It's just as successful as Martin Scorsese's documentary No Direction Home in capturing the musician, but in an entirely different, unique, almost magical way.
Daniel J D

Let me start out by saying that I love David Cross and, especially, his portrayal of Allen Ginsberg. The scene at the cross statue was wonderful. At the same time, Ben Whishaw and Marcus Carl Franklin were top-notch as Dylan. It only helped that they had the best lines. I felt bad… More
Let me start out by saying that I love David Cross and, especially, his portrayal of Allen Ginsberg. The scene at the cross statue was wonderful. At the same time, Ben Whishaw and Marcus Carl Franklin were top-notch as Dylan. It only helped that they had the best lines. I felt bad for everyone else, especially Cate Blanchett, being that she had to play the most retarded, drug-addled version of Bob Dylan. I also felt bad for her because, despite her excellent acting skills, I couldn't help but think, "Hey, that's Cate Blanchett" the whole time. Overall: The music was great, the camera work was great, and the acting was great. The script and plot could've used a lot of work. There were moments of sheer genius but also a lot of really drawn out, nonsensical, and altogether boring scenes.