Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Cate Blanchett | ... | Jude | |
Ben Whishaw | ... | Arthur | |
Christian Bale | ... | Jack / Pastor John | |
Richard Gere | ... | Billy | |
Marcus Carl Franklin | ... | Woody / Chaplin Boy | |
Heath Ledger | ... | Robbie | |
Kris Kristofferson | ... | Narrator (voice) | |
Don Francks | ... | Hobo Joe | |
Roc LaFortune | ... | Hobo Moe | |
Larry Day | ... | Government Agent | |
Paul Cagelet | ... | Carny / Bell-Hop | |
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Brian R.C. Wilmes | ... | Circus Man (as Brian RC Wilmes) |
Pierre-Alexandre Fortin | ... | Gorgeous George | |
Richie Havens | ... | Old Man Arvin | |
Tyrone Benskin | ... | Mr. Arvin |
Six incarnations of Bob Dylan: an actor, a folk singer, an electrified troubadour, Rimbaud, Billy the Kid, and Woody Guthrie. Put Dylan's music behind their adventures, soliloquies, interviews, marriage, and infidelity. Recreate 1960s documentaries in black and white. Put each at a crossroads, the artist becoming someone else. Jack, the son of Ramblin' Jack Elliott, finds Jesus; handsome Robbie falls in love then abandons Claire. Woody, a lad escaped from foster care, hobos the U.S. singing; Billy awakes in a valley threatened by a six-lane highway; Rimbaud talks. Jude, booed at Newport when he goes electric, fences with reporters, pundits, and fans. He won't be classified. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
This movie can be difficult to follow if you are not familiar with Bob Dylan, but it is in fact a carefully and lovingly crafted tribute, that aims to reflect the essence of the artist's work and life. It is a fun take on its subject, though in order to be fully appreciated, one has to know what is being explored. Otherwise, it may seem a tedious watch, but perhaps that is appropriate as in order to fully appreciate Bob Dylan, one has to pay attention, and then it becomes quite rewarding. The shape-shifting nature of Bob Dylan has been portrayed, quite fittingly, by several actors of various backgrounds, ages, sexes and races - in that respect, it is as original and unexpected as its subject. All in all, an interesting, artistic and original but perhaps somewhat inaccessible - to an uninitiated viewer - tribute to one of the greatest artistic geniuses Americana has ever reared.