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December 25, 2007
I'm Not There
As the experts say, this is a film that will get better with multiple viewings. I can't say I saw it in ideal conditions - it was one of many things I did last weekend to distract myself from my loneliness and grief. I suppose the nonlinear format was easier to engage with than the straight-forward biopic I watched later in the evening.
Still, for some reason I didn't fully understand the connection between Bale's character and Ledger's character until I read the reviews.
Like many people, I thought Gere's bit was the least enjoyable of the movie. While I enjoy the Basement Tapes, I had the hardest time connecting to Gere. I appreciated the dissolution of Riddle, but Gere seemed to be skimming the surface of the milieu - one reviewer said his character was an actor in a period drama, but I thought he was actually supposed to be part of the environment without the artifice of actor playing a role.
Of course, like everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed Blanchett's reenactment of the seminal moments Dylan's transformation from folkie to rocker. And I got a kick out of Moore's bitter Joan Baez impersonation. Reminds me that my 2004 Halloween costume augured my future relationship to my personal Robert Zimmerman.
Though it is impossible to fully understand during a first viewing, and it doesn't have the linear draw of most movies - or the satisfying puzzle explained ending of most nonlinear movies - I'm Not There is one of my favorite movies of the year.
rotten tomatoes entry
Ty Burr's review in the Globe
Carina Chocano's review in the LAT
Ebert's review contains useful back story links
Owen Gleiberman's EW review
Posted by cj at December 25, 2007 02:25 PM