I'm Not There (DVD, 2008, 2-Disc Set)

Director Todd Haynes has reinvented the musician biopic by manipulating its conventions to suit its subject instead of the other way around which is what has always been done in the past. I'm Not There invites us into Bob Dylan's brain and has look at the world through his eyes. We also see how Dylan is perceived by the media and his fans. Because Haynes is pushing the genre to its extremes the film is quite hard to follow at times as we jump all over the place in time and are confronted by various takes on Dylan. However, I think it is a film that will only improves on subsequent viewings as what Haynes is doing becomes more apparent and understood.

On the first disc there is "An Introduction" featuring four text essays that help one get a handle on the film. "Who's Not There: Six Faces of Dylan" explains who each of the six Dylans the actors are playing and what they represent. "Tangled Up in Clues" claims that Haynes' film is "an homage to 1960s art films." It does an excellent job of breaking the film down to its basic elements. "Decoding an Entertaining Enigma" examines each incarnation of Dylan in the film. "Notes on I'm Not There" is written by noted critic Greil Marcus and features a solid analysis of the film.

There is an audio commentary by co-writer/director Todd Haynes. He talks about how he rediscovered Bob Dylan's music and his life via biographies. Haynes talks about how he pitched the project to Dylan and how he was inspired by the cinema of the 1960s because that was the time period where most of the film was set. Haynes certainly knows his Dylan history and does a great job analyzing his film and talking about the changes he made while shooting it. This is an engaging and informative track.

There is also an option to have the lyrics to the songs that appear on-screen.

The second disc features two theatrical trailers and an unreleased flash card trailer done in the style of the famous "Subterranean Homesick Blues" video with the cast.

There are "Audition Tapes" for Marcus Carl Franklin and Ben Whishaw. They both do a good job embodying the character they would eventually play.

Also included are two deleted scenes with Blanchett as Dylan messed up on drugs and another with Gere as Dylan during his western phase.

There are four alternate/extended scenes that provide an interesting, different take on these scenes.

An "Outtakes" gag reel features the cast and crew goofing around.

"A Tribute to Heath Ledger" features a montage of clips of the late actor in character and on the set. It is a sobering reminder of what a great talent has been lost with his tragic death.

"The Red Carpet Premiere" in November 2007 features footage of Haynes and his cast walking the red carpet and interacting with the press.

"Making the Soundtrack" examines how they mixed covers of Dylan's songs with original versions by the man himself. Haynes enlisted Sonic Youth's Lee Ronaldo to supervise some of the music and musicians like John Doe recorded their versions of key songs in the film. Assembling the soundtrack was as unconventional as the film itself.

"Conversation with Todd Haynes" features the director going in detail about his film explaining the title, the origins of the project, and so on. It's a nice compliment to his commentary track even if there is some overlap.

WOW IF NOT FOR GOOD OLE BOB ROCK & ROOL WOULD NOT BE THE SAME TODAY OR EVEN 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.SEE ALOT OF PEOPLE THINK BOB DLYAN HAD ZERO TO DO WITH HOW MUSIC CHANGED IN THE EARLY OR LATE 60DS AND 70DS I SAW BOB DLYAN FOR FREE AT THE DUG OUT BAR IN THE VILLAGE IN NEW YORK CITY,IT WAS THE BEST MUSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD MAYBE BECAUSE THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 200 PEOPLE THERE.HE WOULD WALK IN AND JUST START SINGING.HE GOT A LOW BLOW EVEN I LIVE IN JERSY BUT NOT WHERE HE WAS STOPPED BY POLICE.THE 2 ASS HOLE COPS DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHO THE GREAT BOB DYLAN WAS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!2 YOUNG ASS COPS THAT LISTEN TO FAST TALKING NI--ERS,RAP MY ASS ITS JUST 2 FAST TALKING PEOPLE IF YOU CALL THAT MUSIC
THEN BUY A BOB DYLAN CD KICK BACK NOW LISTEN TO ALL HIS LYRICS ALSO HE PLAYS I MEAN HARMONICA HELL YEA THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN FAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF NOT FOR BOB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WOULD BE DOING BAD.BOB DLYAN BUYS AMERICAN HELL YEA ALL BIG ASS DOUBLE RED SLEEPERS TRUCKS PETERBUILTS THE BEST TOP NOTCH FOR ONLY A TOP NOTCH GUY LIKE BOB.I HAVE SO MUCH BOB DYLAN MENROBILA IF I WAS TO PUT IT ALL ON E-BAY IT AS E-BAY WOULD OVER LOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN MY BLUE EYED SON? ROCK ON AND KEEP PUMPING OUT THOSE GREAT SONGS BOB OK YOUR THE BEST BABE FROM BAYONNE

This movie is something different. You have to like music to watch this movie. It is kind of time flashing and old fashioned rock star lifestyle. Heath Ledger is great in any movie. The approach of this film was pretty neat.

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I bought this movie to add to my Heath Ledger collection. I had not seen it beforehand, and am sorry to say I have never really been a Bob Dylan fan. However, it was very interesting to see the different aspects of his career and personal life illustrated in the way in which it was: having different actors portray different phases. I think the filmmakers took a big chance in putting it together like this, but it made for some fascinating watching. It was not necessarily chronological either; it skipped back and forth from one phase to another, intertwining the tales of his life. I was blown away by Cate Blanchette. SUPER performance by her.

I was very disappointed in this. I thought with it's cast and it subject matter it would be unforgettable. I love Dylan. I thought this was one of the most disjointed, confusing, farfetched thing around. I don't know what they were thinking when they did this. The director, producer, etc. must have been smoking something it he thought this made any sense at all.

Obscure, art-house film w/major actors - a film one might see on the IFC (Independent Film Channel) - Highly recommended!

This video works incredibly well in translating dylan's lyrical and musical genius to the video medium (very much in line with what Dylan had intended with his underrated Renaldo and Clara)

I'm Not There is a must watch for EVERY Dylan fan

I am impressed by the way this film is put together and am happy I purchased it as I can add it to my FAVORITES collection.

Excellent, i don't know how they did it but it was an amazing movie. All the actors played the role great.

An actor blessing has ended! Sad but true. This seller gives fast safe deliver. Very resonablly priced Great deal!

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One of the better films on Rock.

Bob Dylan remains unfathomable. He is like the Krishnamurte of music. (My interpretation: Live your own lives; forget dogmatic crystalized forms).

I bought it since I missed it in my small town when it was out briefly at movie theatres. I'd love to see a film of just the actual Bob Dylan singing a hundred songs. Uncompromising Bob was, in essence, captured by this film. "I'm Not There" was a mantra I had been saying for a few years so this was especially surreal for me. The film was like a nice dream.

I haven't seen the 2nd disc yet.