I'm Not There (9.5/10)

This is it! A biopic that is made with anything but biopic feel, but still has that touch. It transcends the genre and becomes one of the most unique films you'll ever seen. It's like 6  movies by itself that tie together perfectly. Those 6 movies are not just 6 stories, but everyone has it's own little magic. I feared I would like some stories better than others, but they all make one story. It's a style all it's own. Bob Dylan is the inspiration for it all. He is the man, the legend, the poet, the outlaw, the fake, the seer, the folk king, the death of folk, the priest, the prophet, the lover and one the greatest musician of all time. I could even debate that he is the best of the 20th century. Even if you disagree you know his name is somebody to mention in that debate still. Bob Dylan may not have been there but he'll always be welcomed in our hearts.

So to describe this movie is like describing nothing I've done before. I'll try but if my point doesn't come through clear, just watch it. So the 6 stories are Bob Dylan in 6 different phases of his life. I wouldn't call it 6 different ages, but really just 6 stages of mind. I'm not going to bother with names (Each Dylan has his own name) so i'll go by actors name, but know that each name is a distinct person. Christian Bale plays Beatnik and Religious Dylan. His story is told like a classic documentary. They have interviews with actors  portraying real people. It's the flash of kinetic images that will mesmerize you here. Bale may just have the best voice of the bunch. Heath Ledger plays the romantic side of Dylan. His story revolves around the ups and downs of his relationship with his french girlfriend Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg). This segment contains marvelous camera shots and genuine emotion. You'll never come close to bored. It's brilliant every time we see this section. We have Marcus Carl Franklin in a great breakthrough role. He plays the vagabond Bob Dylan. He is lying and telling the truth in everything he does. The scenes here are fantastic. You'll see Bob Dylan in all new light and it has so much charm. It's the only story without a well known actor, but you won't care because it works so well. Richard Gere plays Bob Dylan in his Billy The Kid phase, or his hiding life. His scenes have a symbolistic feel to it and are majestic. it's a whole new look to this legend in music. Cate Blanchett (in a oscar nominated role) plays Bob Dylan in his culture phase. He moves through famous figures and people (David Cross as Allen Ginsberg, brings a smile to my face). He (I say "he" cause Cate is playing Dylan as a man) feuds with journalist Keenan Jones and has a "troublesome"relationship with Coco (an almost unrecognizable  Michelle Williams). These scenes show alot about Bob Dylan, the person he was and wasn't. Blanchett may just give the best performance of the bunch. I loved it all. However the last is something beautiful. We see the mind of Bob Dylan. Ben Whishaw plays Bob Dylan in what looks like a interview or disposition of sorts. We almost only see his face and listen to his philosophy. His words have merit and things to take away from the film. 

The film is not straight forward and jumps around a lot, but that's why it's great. It doesn't let one story drag on to long and get boring, it stays fresh though out. It's a larger than life movie. We may learn some things but never truly understand Bob Dylan, neither does he though. We see the ideas he brings to his day to day life. You'll leave with knowledge not just about Dylan but learning something about yourself and how you see life (the "seven rules to live life in hiding" is a eye opener). It's as as much a trip as it is factual. As much a film as a documentary. We see and hear Bob Dylan for what he was and like this film it's a wonder.

9.5/10

Recommendation: The biggest "watch it" I can give (but I've meant it before with others). There's no way you won't like this movie.