One of a kind bio-pic, with great style

Rating: 9/10 (20 October 2008)

Todd Haynes wrote and directed this very strange bio-pic of Bob Dylan, portrayed through various stages in his life and starring six different actors portraying Dylan in one way or another. The first time I watched this, I didn't know quite what to think, but I absolutely loved the Dylan soundtrack to the movie, that alone made it memorable. Next time through I listened to the very excellent commentary by Haynes, and everything seemed to work pretty well, after understanding what he was doing. This is a must-have for fans of Bob Dylan, but really, fans of Bob Dylan as myself, might not even get everything this movie throws at the viewer initially. The standout performance is Cate Blanchett as Jude, who is Dylan during his years when he went electric and his memorable British tour. Others filling parts of Dylans early life in the sixties and seventies, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, Richard Gere, and the young Marcus Carl Franklin. The movie is actually several stories all woven together with Dylan's music always playing, which is infectious to say the least. Very interesting and a one of a kind of movie that if you aren't all ready a fan, you'll be introduced to the amazing songwriting that makes Bob Dylan the premier songwriter of the 20 century by far. I can't think of anybody that even comes close. And the amazing soundtrack is on my Want List immediately.