Blanchett 'Astonishing' as Dylan

From Venice film festival, British critic lauds unconventional bio
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 5, 2007 4:38 PM CDT

I'm Not There, director Todd Haynes' Bob Dylan biopic, has gained at least one fan in the Telegraph's David Gritten. More "symbolist poem" than conventional biography, the film portrays Dylan in various guises, including an 11-year-old black actor and Cate Blanchett in the film's "tour de force." Among other embodiments: Richard Gere as Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid.

"I cannot say I understand Dylan one bit better—and there's no higher praise for the film than that," Gritten writes of the picture, the first made with the singer's approval. Blanchett's turn is Gritten's favorite, he writes: "She is astonishing: with the help of trademark shades, wild corkscrew curls and killer cheekbones, she perfectly captures his … defiant attitude." (More Bob Dylan stories.)

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