See "Don't Look Back" and "The Other Side of the Mirror"

Rating: 3/10 (15 November 2007)

"I'm Not There" is an unenlightening, well-heeled, sophomoric interpretation of Bob Dylan, that borders on parody when compared to the films "Don't Look Back", "The Other Side of the Mirror" & "Renaldo and Clara". I hope that people unfamiliar with the works of Bob Dylan will be motivated to further explore Dylan's music, writings and films. If "I'm Not There" causes people to explore the works of Bob Dylan, then this film will have found it's redemption. Technically the film is excellent, great photography by Ed Lachman and great sound. The pace of the film is uneven, at times tedious. The performances are fascinating just for the idea of actors playing Bob Dylan. If you are at all familiar with the real Bob Dylan, all of the performances fall short of representing the enigmatic Dylan except for Marcus Carl Franklin who plays Bob Dylan and Woody. In general the performances were shallow and did not connect emotionally. There is no doubt that the real Bob Dylan will be the primary attraction of "I'm Not There" and he's not there. What was Todd Haines' motivation in making this film beyond having the right to do so?