‘A Complete Unknown’ Fans Should Check Out The Wild ‘I’m Not There’

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As a lifelong fan of Bob Dylan and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in his music, I must say that Todd Haynes’ masterpiece, “I’m Not There,” is an absolute must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the enigmatic figure that is Bob Dylan. This cinematic tour de force doesn’t just regurgitate facts about Dylan’s life; it delves deep into the heart of his legend, capturing the essence of a man who has consistently defied categorization.

What sets “I’m Not There” apart from other biographical films is its unconventional approach to storytelling. By casting six different actors to portray various aspects of Dylan’s life and persona, Todd Haynes creates a kaleidoscope of images that mirrors the multifaceted nature of his subject. From Christian Bale’s Jack Rollins, embodying the troubadour’s early folk days, to Cate Blanchett’s electric Jude Quinn, who encapsulates the rebellious spirit of Dylan’s mid-60s electric phase, each character provides a unique lens through which to view this enigmatic artist.

Moreover, the film’s formal experimentation mirrors the contradictions and shifts in perspective inherent in its subject. The use of different cinematic styles for each character not only pays homage to Dylan’s musical influences but also serves as a metaphor for the many faces of Bob Dylan. The blurring of lines between stories, characters, and even time periods, adds an additional layer of complexity that reflects the public image of Dylan, who has always kept the public at arm’s length through deliberate obfuscation.

In the end, “I’m Not There” is not just a film about Bob Dylan; it’s a meditation on the very nature of celebrity, myth-making, and the elusive essence of truth in an age where both facts and fiction are constantly being rewritten. So, if you’ve watched “A Complete Unknown” and found yourself yearning for more, I can’t think of a better way to satisfy that hunger than by diving headfirst into the mesmerizing world of Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There.”

Oh, and let me leave you with this: If Bob Dylan were a joke, he’d be the one-liner that makes you scratch your head, smile, then realize it was funny because it made no sense at all. Just like his music, his life, and this extraordinary film.

On Christmas Day, the debut of “A Complete Unknown” introduced Bob Dylan’s iconic status to a fresh audience, with Timothée Chalamet, a popular actor from that era, portraying the enduring American symbol. For some viewers, it could be their initial encounter with the legendary artist; for others, a reinterpretation of a tale they already hold dear. However, “A Complete Unknown” may be the first movie centered entirely around Dylan’s early years, but it is not the first to delve into what makes him such an enigmatic figure in pop culture.

Documents such as Martin Scorsese’s extensive “No Direction Home” from 2005 or D.A. Pennebaker’s up-close-and-personal look at Dylan’s 1965 U.K. tour, “Don’t Look Back,” give us a glimpse into the artist, but none provide a full portrait. With an elusive figure like Bob Dylan, it might be impossible for any single film to fully encapsulate his true nature on screen. However, one movie seems to come the closest to capturing the essence of its subject, and it does so in an unusual manner: Todd Haynes’s “I’m Not There.

How ‘I’m Not There’ Explores the Legend of Bob Dylan

In 2007, I found myself captivated by the film “I’m Not There” that didn’t adhere to the traditional biopic format when it came to portraying Bob Dylan’s life. Instead, director Todd Haynes ingeniously employed six distinct actors who each embodied a unique aspect of Dylan’s public persona. Among these, Christian Bale portrayed Jack Rollins, a renowned protest singer who shuns the spotlight and later reappears as a born-again Christian. This character seemed to encapsulate Dylan’s initial reluctant “voice of a generation” phase and his peculiar association with Christianity in the ’70s and ’80s. Heath Ledger, who tragically passed away shortly after this film’s release, played Robbie Clark, an aspiring actor who gains fame for portraying Rollins in a biopic about his life. This recognition, however, strained his relationship with his artist wife Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and his children.

Marcus Carl Franklin portrays Woody Guthrie, a drifter in his youth, mirroring Bob Dylan’s early adherence to the Depression era lifestyle. Richard Gere takes on the role of an older Billy the Kid, living in isolation until confronted by modern times, symbolizing Dylan’s exploration of Americana during the late ’60s and potentially his later secluded period. Ben Whishaw plays a depiction of Arthur Rimbaud, one of Dylan’s significant influences, who appears anachronistically before a government inquiry panel. This setup seems to offer commentary on the film’s events from a meta-perspective.

Among all performances in the film, Cate Blanchett as Jude Quinn stands out most notably. She embodies the rebellious, drug-infused persona of Dylan during his mid-’60s phase, following his departure from the folk scene and causing quite a stir among his long-term fans. Her character might be the most accurate portrayal of Dylan among all. Blanchett’s performance garnered the film its highest praise, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and winning a Golden Globe.

In “I’m Not There,” Haynes chooses to portray Bob Dylan not as a real person with a tangible history, but rather as an emblem or symbol that lives within the collective consciousness of the public. This approach reflects the understanding that such a complex and ever-evolving figure like Dylan could never be contained in a conventional representation, which would inevitably prove too restrictive.

‘I’m Not There’ as Cinema

In conversation with Dylan’s life and cinematic artistry, “I’m Not There” engages in a dialogue with the very nature of cinema itself. Director Todd Haynes employs diverse cinematic styles for each character, borrowing from music documentaries for Jack Rollins, the ’60s French and Italian New Wave for Jude Quinn’s tale, ’70s New Hollywood for Billy the Kid, and more. This experimental approach mirrors the conflicting views and shifts in perception that define the subject matter, demonstrating that no single film can truly encapsulate Dylan’s essence, so Haynes effectively creates six distinct films within one.

As the movie progresses, it becomes increasingly challenging to distinguish one tale from another, as characters leap across temporal and spatial boundaries and occasionally become part of different narratives entirely. By the end, Billy the Kid comes face-to-face with Woody disguised as Charlie Chaplin, and later travels in a contemporary vehicle. Additionally, Haynes intentionally blends these stories by using some actors in multiple roles; for instance, Bruce Greenwood portrays both a British journalist interviewing Jude Quinn and Billy the Kid’s adversary, the lawman Pat Garrett. The intricate layers of this film reflect Dylan’s public persona, who has consistently maintained a sense of mystery by deliberately obscuring himself from the public eye.

I’m Not There doesn’t just tell Bob Dylan’s story, but instead comes close to portraying his unique spirit on screen. On the other hand, A Complete Unknown may claim to be a realistic look at Dylan, but it too is as much about creating myths as I’m Not There. As viewers watch in awe, they feel like they’re witnessing history being made.

Haynes’s film understands that Bob Dylan is too unconventional to be portrayed conventionally, and it captures his essence better than any other movie. If you want to learn more about Dylan after watching A Complete Unknown, I recommend checking out this film.

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2025-01-04 05:03