DVD Pick: I'm Not There, but you might be...

I don’t normally recommend a movie that I don’t like but I will make an exception with I’m Not There, Todd Haynes experimental biopic about the many lives of Bob Dylan (each section of Dylan’s life is taken on by a different actor including Oscar nominee Cate Blanchett) . As an avid Dylan fan,I entered the theater last Fall filled with both anticipation and expectations. I left the theater (over two hours later) convinced that Todd Haynes is a royal boob. I felt that the story was covered with so many layers of faux artiness that it lost the spirit of its central figure. Not that there isn’t plenty that is appealing (David Cross’ channeling of Allen Ginsburg is worth the effort of putting this on your Netflix queue), I simply had to work too hard to get too little. By the time I got to the car I had made up my mind to file this one away under “Director’s overblown ego kills the picture.”

But then I made the mistake of talking about the movie. The conversation began with my wife on the way home but it continued for the next several weeks with anyone who had seen it. I spoke with fellow Dylan-ites as well as those with little to no exposure to his music (it should be said that this group seemed to get more out of the film). I was even at a friend’s house when a I’m Not There moratorium needed to be put in place. It seemed that everyone I spoke to had a new take on the purpose of the film. Elements that were crystal clear to one viewer were an utter enigma to another. It was fascinating that each person had taken the movie in on a completely personal level and that determined their particular likes and/or dislikes. Films are often promoted as “The Most Talked About Film of the Year” but this one fits the bill unequivocally in my social circles.

In the months since I actually watched I’m Not There my mind has been made up and then undone several times about its value. I can honestly say that I have never so eagerly awaited the DVD release of a movie I had such cool feelings for initially. I want to see the movie again. I want to listen to Todd Haynes explain himself on the audio commentary. I want to devour the documentary extras looking for explanations. I want to finally lay this movie to rest. Perhaps I recommend I’m Not There so you can suffer along with me. Or perhaps all of this frustration is the sign of a movie that is, at least, worth paying attention to.