Six singers one Dylan

by RICHARD JONES

THE 2008 awards season for films has well and truly arrived with the much-awaited Oscars ceremony not too far away. Australia's own Cate Blanchett has already been right in the running for some lead-up gongs, including last weekend's British BAFTA awards, for her performance in director Todd Haynes' I'm Not There.

She is widely touted to be solidly in the mix for a best supporting actor Oscar, as well.

The movie is a musical biopic, a series of six portraits inspired by the legendary Bob Dylan at various stages of his career. Blanchett plays Jude Quinn in a 40-minute major segment of Haynes' film. Never for a moment do we believe Blanchett is really a male singer, but she brings a real intensity to her scenes.

Quinn switches from acoustic to electric guitar in scenes eerily reminiscent of Dylan's own actions which, for quite a period, alienated his own hardcore fans.

The late Heath Ledger plays Robbie Clark, a pallid and rather self-absorbed actor, while Christian Bale appears as a folk singer-turned-preacher.

Movie fans will be keen to see Ledger, particularly in his scenes with screen wife Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg).

The youngest of the Dylan surrogates is 11-year-old Marcus Carl Franklin, an African American boy, who plays guitar 1930s style. Woody Guthrie - revered by Dylan, too - is the boy's hero. He actually calls himself 'Woody Guthrie'.

Perhaps the hardest performance to swallow is Richard Gere's as a sort of Billy The Kid character.

Dylan himself appears in just one shot, near the end of the film, as director Haynes takes us on a fun ride back in time. The soundtrack is stirring and Dylan fans are certain to enjoy the way Haynes has interwoven his stories of the six singers.

12 February 2008

If you'd like to comment on this story email us and we'll put your contribution on our new-look letters & comments page.

Disclaimer