I'm Not There

Apparently my free CMJ festival pass is actually for the entire festival and not just for the film festival. Sweet! Not that I have time to actually use it this week. Stupid CMJ being inconveniently timed with one of the busiest weeks of my life.

I did however catch "I'm Not There" today - the new Bob Dylan biopic. I wasn't really sure what to expect. Let me preface this by saying that I was never a Bob Dylan fanatic, so - as happens with films adapted from other sources - I know the hardcore fans may not embrace the film the way I did.

The film had an all-star cast: Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere, Christian Bale, David Cross, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams, among tons of others. I think my favorite was actually child actor Marcus Franklin. I thought he was the most charismatic of Dylan's various personas. Although, everyone was fabulous and did a wonderful job of capturing various aspects of the folk legend. My other two favorite personas were Cate Blanchett's and Ben Whishaw's. I thought they got his mannerisms down to almost a creepy degree.

One thing I loved about the film was its ultra non-linear storytelling. I think it is a very interesting and unique idea to have so many different actors playing the same character in so many different storylines that have little or nothing to do with one another - each to represent various aspects of the person. The way they cut it together was great because it jumped from one story to another and back again seamlessly. And in some of the storylines, it would shift perspectives - it got in other people's heads besides just Dylan's, like his lover's or someone interviewing him. As well as having different storylines, places, and people, each section of the film was also done on a different medium and each had a distinct look - whether it be black and white grain or vibrant colors. Not to mention the random fantastical elements. It was definitely a feast for the eyes at times.

One thing I didn't like about the film: it was much too long. I'm sorry, but it was. It's 137 minutes, and after about 100 minutes, you start to feel it. It definitely could be cut down and still maintain the character and integrity. The other thing I didn't like was in the Christian Bale persona storyline, it was shot like a VH1 "Behind the Music" feature, and while I admire the fact that they tried to integrate so many different styles, it just didn't quite fit and it seemed like they were poking fun at the film and not really taking it as seriously all of a sudden. Maybe that's what they were doing, but it took me out of the film and I think they could've done the same storyline with a different style and been a little more successful.

Perhaps tonight I will catch a concert or two. And tomorrow I will be going to see one more film. But sadly that is probably all I will be able to utilize this pass for. Tata dahlings.

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