It offers a fascinating and intimate portrait of Bob Dylan’s transformative early years in New York City’s folk scene. If you’re expecting an in-depth look into the creative development of this enigmatic artist, then you should go for this filmmaker, who feeds us two love stories that chronicle his affairs with Joan Baez and Suze Rotolo.
The Fascinating Storyline
In 1961, a 20-year-old Bob Dylan hitchhiked to New York City to meet his musical hero, Woody Guthrie. Guthrie is in the hospital suffering from Huntington’s disease. Pete Seeger is with Guthrie when Dylan arrives. Guthrie can barely speak, but Seeger suggests that the ill musicians would like to hear a song, so Dylan plays a song he wrote for Guthrie. The two musicians seem impressed.
The Best Part Of This Movie: The actors’ ability to become the musicians they portray is stunning. The astonishing songwriting ability of Bob Dylan is front and center. The interplay of the other characters, be they other artists or recording industry professionals, is quietly spectacular, as you see and feel their appreciation and amazement when song after song tumbles out of this poet and musician.
The film’s pacing is generally strong, keeping viewers engaged with its blend of musical performances, intimate moments, and historical context.
Is It Worth Watching?
The way the whole movie was filmed is clever and you think you’re looking at Dylan backlit from the stage at times. Many details that I’ve read in books about him are included. This is Oscar-worthy on many levels.
Bob should get an Oscar for the score! I think the ending is strong, a great climax showing Dylan getting his way, playing his electric guitar with gusto and playing loud with his band at Newport despite the purist Folkies complaining.
Also Read…
Is The Weeknd’s Debut Film “Hurry Up Tomorrow” Worth Watching?
Could This Have Been Better?
The movie was a bit tedious, fortunately, every so often, an oldie but goodie tune by Dylan came on screen. It’s surprising how terrific the actor who portrayed Dylan turned out to be. He captured the artist to perfection as well as his singing voice. The scenes featuring Joan Baez were like a revolving door, hello-goodbye.
The chemistry between Timothy Chandler as Bob Dylan and Monica Barbara as Joan Baez makes their singing together all the more mesmerising. Edward Norton was excellent as Pete Seeger and even sounded like him.
IMDb Rating – 7.4/10
Written by Nilesh Shiv