Amazing, Brilliant and Stirring....

Rating: 10/10 (22 February 2008)

There are already 170 comments here... there is nothing that I can say that is original.... I just saw the film and I sat in awe, provoked intellectually and philosophically and moved once again by his music as I heard it in my youth. For those lived life along the same time frame of Dylan, so many of the images in the movie must have evoked for them photographic images of Dylan either pensive or in motion. I had not realized how iconic those image now are as part of our culture. I also realized that I never, when I was younger (I am a few years younger than Dylan) understood the import of what he was saying... perhaps he didn't either ... he was so young when he said them and it may have been most intuitive. But Todd Haynes' movie shows how Dylan's comments and reactions pushed the philosophical edge of perspective on living onto another plane challenging everybody to ponder as he pondered himself.
When I walked into the theater -- the local theater for the artsy crowd, the ticket taker, a young man in his late 20's or so.. said what a great film it was -- in particular how awesome Heath Ledger was in it. Heath ledger has just passed away a few weeks before this comment. Honestly I did not think he had as great an impact as Cate Blanchett who was truly remarkable -- and has deservedly been nominated for best supporting Actress for the Academy awards. She had the most and most powerful screen time and I was curious as to why she went for best supporting actress. It probably was strategic, increasing her chances of winning in a year of a large number of great films. But upon reflection, I realized that the star of the movie was Dylan himself who though not present physically in the film is present in forceful spirit throughout the film.