life as stream of consciousness

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 2007)

Todd Haynes's fictionalized Bob Dylan biopic has finally arrived. And it's a good one. Like Dylan's autobiography "Chronicles", it's told in stream of consciousness style. The many different people playing the role (and each person gives the character a different name) stress the many alter egos that inhibit this richly complex character. The character's speed and marijuana usage give the whole movie a very dreamlike state. One can imagine that he probably gets tired of reporters always asking him stupid questions, and that it contributes to the bizarre mental state that we see.
But anyway, this is certainly one that I recommend. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, and newcomer Marcus Carl Franklin all show themselves to be very adept at playing the role. If this movie doesn't get at least one Oscar nomination, I'll have to question the Academy's judgment. Really magnificent.
Also starring Julianne Moore, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Bruce Greenwood and Richie Havens.