Day Five of the Toronto International Film Festival: I had to make a Bob Dylan pun above because today I saw I’m Not There, Todd Haynes’ tribute to the star (focusing on the young, exciting, pre-Victoria’s Secret sellout years, thankfully). There’s a lot going on here — I’m sure you’ve already heard about the gimmick of having several different actors play Dylan or Dylanesque characters. It makes for a fascinating comment on perceptions of stardom and celebrity — and art, I guess — with stirring music (duh), contrasting visual textures, and some random cameos by an enormous cast (David Cross as Allen Ginsberg — works for me). A few moments felt transcendent (Cate Blanchett was my favorite Dylan); others felt clipped from A Mighty Wind. This was maybe the only movie at the festival where I got that overwhelming, I’m-enveloped-by-this-film feeling … which is not to say I was one hundred percent in love with it. But it was plenty stirring.
Just like a … woman?
Meanwhile, unless something bedazzles me during my half-day tomorrow, I think I’m ready to declare my personal best-of-fest.
