Search - I'm Not There (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) on DVD

Gloria B. (glowbird) from SPOKANE, WA
Reviewed on 7/3/2018...

I found this film amusing. I think it is based more on the Dylan self-mythologizing than his real life. For example, it has been related that he made up the story of his early life, that he didn't ride the railroads (thus, the little boy with the guitar). He has claimed that Woody Guthrie was a heavy influence on his music, but he has never admitted to donning "the train-hopping, hobo persona of his troubadour hero, Guthrie." ("Positively 4th St," David Hadju). He has never acknowledged how he used people as stepping stones to buffer his career either. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Dylan fan. He is a contradiction--pursuing fame, but once achieving it, he rejected it by becoming reclusive. He never wanted to be the "voice of a generation." His interviews are nonsensical; and even one of his albums, Self Portrait, was not so much about his music as getting back at all of the people who recorded his songs. Back to I'm Not There, well, you can see bits and pieces of his story, but you'll never know what is really autobiographical and what parts are based on the mythology of Dylan. I'd suggest reading Hadju's biography and compare to Dylan's version, Chronicles, and then watch this movie. I did like this movie by-the-way.

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

It's good but...

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 09/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's one *extremely* important thing about I'm Not There that you absolutely MUST know. It's a film that's quite confusing to understand because it focuses on very specific details about Dylan's adventurous life from the mid to late 60's.



I was honestly quite confused watching this film, especially in the very beginning. I didn't get the Jack Rollins segments, or the little kid riding a train with a guitar and a talented singing voice. These parts went completely over my head, however, I'm not someone who knows a whole lot about Dylan's background- I just listen to his (absolutely terrific) music. I love Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks and Desire for example.



Now another problem with the film (perhaps an even bigger problem) is that Bob Dylan himself is a *very* complex individual. Most of his lines in the movie were pretty accurate as far as what he's actually like in real life- pretty darn confusing to understand. His lyrics and his music make sense, but his interviews are quite mind-bogglingly difficult to figure out.



Trying to understand exactly where Dylan stands on certain issues can be quite the challenge because, let's be honest, he's significantly more intelligent than the average person (like me, for example). This means I'm Not There is loaded with hard to comprehend segments that the average person won't get. Asking Dylan a straight question just result in a really complicated answer.



Make sure before watching I'm Not There that you have a really thorough knowledge of his life (especially his 60's period) because if you don't, you'll probably be sitting there really confused like I was.



As for all the actors who portrayed Bob Dylan... was that really necessary? I think it would have been better to settle on just one person even if that one person doesn't quite match the appearance and personality of the ever-changing Dylan figure. That's what I think at least.



However, all these actors are good in their performance. I can totally believe that Dylan WAS exactly like how the actors portrayed him to be.



Just keep in mind this movie is not for the average fan- it's for HUGE Dylan fans."