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# ‘I’m Not There’
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/im-not-there/
- Published: 2007-12-15T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T04:24:33.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

One of the more abstract works of modern times, this semi-autobiographic Bob Dylan bio-pic is a tang-ient-filled batch of melancholy and mythology. Director Todd Haynes uses Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Ben Whishaw, Richard Gere and others including Cate Blanchett most notably, to portray “essences” of Dylan himself. Dylan as portrayed by so many people and with such vivid realization builds up the mythology of this man who is a cultural icon. Blanchett stars in the “Don’t Look Back” chapter. Her body shape, hair and facial expressions completely evoke the famous documentary footage of Dylan, yet add even more emotion than perhaps Dylan or reality intended. She is portraying Dylan in ‘65, chilling with Joan Baez, mouthing off on the BBC, arriving in London followed by all sorts of merry folk travelers and loyalists. Dylan was big news in this era and he would be now. It seems Haynes is making a general statement about not only Dylan, but about being true to one’s opinions, especially when you alienate fans and critics. Haynes’s “I’m Not There” is an impressionistic painting whereas “Ray” and “Walk the Line” were detailed black and white photographs. Awards and possible recognition may not occur with this film but it really doesn’t need to receive any of that, because it is quite timeless and will take years to fully be appreciated. ‘Fred Claus’

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 15, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121507.pdf?ref=smdp.com)