Review of I'm Not There (2007) by Joe B — 25 Sep 2009

"I'm Not There" is an excellent portrayal of Bob Dylan, broken up into many different people, who all have different names, but are supposed to represent a life, or more era, of Dylan's complex life.

If you had no idea what I just said, than I understand. So let me explain.

The film starts out with Marcus Carl Franklin doing a great job as a young Bob Dylan, and the supposed probably very untrue, maybe somewhat true, "backstory" that Dylan used to tell the public, way back whenever. So, once again, not "actually" Dylan, just a character that represents him.

Cate Blanchett does the best job, though, as the most simple and straightforward Dylan character, named Jude. A folk hero running around London, starting crazy parties with other crazy people.... and chills with... the Beatles! Anyway, if you want to watch this film for anybody, watch it for Blanchett, she is almost like Hypnotizing in her role as Dylan, I mean Jude.

Christian Bale, to my surprise, was really excellent also. Proving that he can do more than just Bruce Wayne/Batman, and the same ol' action role, that he always picks up again and again, for whatever reason. I mean, the man could show people that he is actually a very top-notch actor, if he would just do more roles such as this one. Sorry, I am dragging off from the actual subject. Anyway, he played the civil rights award-winning Dylan in the mid-60's, and the preacher/new born christian Bob Dylan, and does a great job doing both!

Heath Ledger (R.I.P.) is especially complicated. He plays an actor who protrayed an interpritation of Bob Dylan, but known in the film as "Jack Rollins", in a movie about his life.

Does that sound complex? Probably because it is. But It's Ledger, and he still does a great job.

Last but certainly not least, is Ben Whishaw, protraying a protrayal (ahh, toung twister) of Dylan being "interrogated"? by men who keep on asking him questions like "Why don't you want to change the world anymore",etc. etc.

He is excellent in it also.

Each one of these fine, fine actors, do a great job.

I forgot about Richard Gere as the kind of washed-up living in the wildrenss protrayal of Dylan. But the parts with him, were my least favorite.

Either way, an amazing film! even if it does have it's flaws, and may be confusing to people.

If you get the DVD, go to intro to film first, and it will explain to you, in a much better manner, what I just explained.

Don't be fooled by the flashy stars though, this ain't no hollywood film, boyo, so keep your mind open.