When I saw this with my grandpa, he summed it up best by saying: “This isn’t a movie about Dylan. This is if Dylan himself was a movie.”

the casting is insane and pretty immaculate i really wish biopics would take experimental risks like this more often

Pretty amazing how Batman and The Joker both played Bob Dylan a year before The Dark Knight.

Among the discussions of best biopic performances, I rarely hear Cate Blanchett talked about. She captured Bob’s style amazingly as Jude, to the point where she disappeared and I no longer saw Cate.

Absolutely adored this movie when I saw it, everyone did a fantastic job but Cate Blanchett was a revelation as “Jude Quinn”! This was the movie that made me realize her range as an actor, there were times when I didn’t see her anymore but saw Dylan himself. How she didn’t win an Oscar for this role is wild to me.

the fact that your youtube videos are such beautiful representations of your passions and perspectives is giving the content a personal fingerprint, that bleeds into art as a whole, not divided or restricted, but free. Thank you so much Elliot… the love you have for music and film is truly a reflection of the complexity of your character and inner world.

I'm Not There and Love and Mercy are my two favorite biopics on artist ever. Not only because I love Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson but because one gave me a mystic artistic expression of one of a mysterious artist in an uncompromising way, while the other is a perfect depiction of the creative process. These movies are what make me wish biopics took more risk to give us a true sense of the artist it's trying to show us. To me a biopic shows us a few of (not all) biggest events in a style that best suits the artist in question, but also shows us the details in the events that are the why instead of the how. That is what sets these two movies apart and why I love them so much.

what I want from a biopic is seeing their creative side, watching them in the studio working with the engineers and producers to make something that has touched me

I love when biopics go the surrealist way because they're so interesting and they are captivating the essence of the musician better than any other regular biopic could. I love this movie and other that do something similar with his subject ilike gainsbourg: vie heroique.

in my opinion.... this film is one of the greatest films of the 21st century. if there's a definition of "the anti bio-pic", it's this one. todd haynes not only nailed exactly who bob dylan is but told it in a way that really showcases why this man is too complex to be a typical bio-pic. a traditional bio-pic on dylan wouldn't work at all because of the phases he's been through. having six different actors play variations of dylan made absolutely total perfect sense. because of this film, i began to binge on bob dylan's music with "the basement tapes" and "blonde on blonde" being among my all-time favorite albums.

This is my favorite movie, I’ve always been a huge fan of Dylan because of my dad and so when I was younger and first watched it with my dad it felt like a real bonding experience for us. I’ve watched it countless times over the years and it’s a real buoy and comfort for me whenever alongside his music whenever I’m feeling lost.

My favorite parts are the storylines that are less literal. Cate Blanchett and Christian Bale’s characters are Dylan in all but name, but the others as you said are more metaphorical and sort of assign different parts of his personality to the character. I’ve always been fascinated by the post-crash, pre-74 tour Dylan. I’d like to see a movie just on that, a huge icon retreating from the limelight, raising his family and going back to his roots, putting out a hodgepodge of good and bizarre albums just trying to re-find himself, meanwhile the psychedelic hippie movement is still churning in the background.

one thing I love about Elliot Roberts is his array of different costumes to fit each video. Looking like a mad man in this one!

I saw this movie completely by chance with my dad at an open theatre local youth center organised. He loves Dylan, he's very particular about movies and is not very artistic. I didn't know about the approach movie would take, so we went in completely blind. I honestly thought he wouldn't enjoy it. He did. He felt like there was a constant character of Dylan throughout all segments, Cate Blanchett included. I still remember it years later. Great movie.

Dylan is the man. Growing up in Minnesota and playing guitar, he's always been a MASSIVE inspiration as an artist.

Just brilliant. I remember watching this movie when it came out on DVD and loved it then and this UKposts video is fantastic and does it justice. Big fan of your work. Two thumbs up. You're a master of the UKposts format.

Not sure if you're a jazz guy, but I'd love to see how you feel about Miles Ahead. It's an over-the-top fun fictional adventure with Miles Davis and Ewan Mcgregor going after a macguffin, with flashbacks to actual events in Davis' life as the B-plot. Very interesting way to do a biopic and I'd be interested in more films like that.

I presented a paper on I'm Not There (and Velvet Goldmine) at a conference about five years ago, and your video hits most of the points I was making about the film. Great video!

I've been meaning to watch this movie for a while now. Not too much of a Dylan fan (not because I don't like him, just haven't stopped to listen to his music), but having Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan got me interested. I didn't even know there were more people playing him in this. Will definitely watch it now.

This was one of my dad’s (a HUGE music and Bob Dylan fan) favorite movies, and it’s definitely one of the most unique bio picks out there

this was such a good video, you absolutely GET it!!!! I'm Not There is hands down my favourite biopic - if we can really call it one - and you've hit the nail on the head with it here. Cate Blanchett as Jude Quinn drives me up the wall, with how well she plays the part, but as a whole the imagery and elusiveness of the film really blows most other biopics out of the water for me 😁

I almost didn't watch this and didn't think I would be interested in this film. Now I have, and I am. Thank you for what you do so well Elliot.

you should really make a video about Velvet Goldmine (the unofficial bowie biopic by Todd Haynes) the same guy that directed im not there did that movie. its an amazing film i swear a video from you about it would be amazing

Saw the title of your video. I immediately watch the I'm Not There on Tubi TV before I watched ur full video. Honestly, surprised with the casting. The 6 personas of Bob Dylan and its different visual styles is so creative and experimental. This movie changed my taste for biopic. Also, Cate is just amazing in this movie and captures the tired look of Bob Dylan so well. Anyway, thank you so much for making great videos. Your videos introduce me to get into the Beatles more and great movies to watch. Thank you so much and have a nice day ❤

I love this film. I discovered it 2 years ago by accident and ordered it on DVD the next day. I love that I learned more about Bob Dylan but not enough to understand the man

Such a great analysis! I love Todd Haynes' work, especially I'm Not There and Velvet Goldmine. The way he approaches music in film is amazing. This video taught me a lot about the movie I didn't know before. Thank you for another wonderful video!

I hope this film gets more & more recognized as the years go by. Its a wholly unique take & representation of the artist's life

I love this movie. In college I took a class on the 60's. My semester project was on Bob Dylan. I used this movie in parts of my project, particularly the part where he's being interviewed and talks about "cause of peace/hunk of butter/burning draft card burning yourself" doesn't do anything, except disassociate you from the evils in the world. When I got the comments back on this paper I realized my professor was a dipsh*t who didn't really understand anything about Bob Dylan's view of the world and was married to an idealized view of the 60s rather than what it was, an absolutely horrific decade of atrocity, hatred, myopia, violence, and bigotry with a great soundtrack. I had a presentation on Dylan coming up for the final part of the project and scrapped everything I'd been working on. Instead, I changed the presentation to me playing and singing "Ballad of a Thin Man" while maintaining eye contact with prof the whole time because, as my very arrogant 22 year old self told this boomer teaching the course, "There's something happening and you don't know what it is, do you Mr. Jones?"

Hey Elliot, I have watched all your videos and you keep surprising me with how you can succeed making these wonderful "love letters" to your favorite artists with such quality, authenticity and sincerity - thank you for your work! Best wishes from Lithuania

You've done it again, Elliot. Wonderful video! This film really captures the chameleon-like shape shifter that Dylan was and is. Favourite Dylan line: "You don't need my autograph; if you needed it I'd give it to you."

Yes! _I'm Not There_ IMO is the 26th best movie of 2007 (don't take that too harshly, 2007 was the best year for movies of all time). People always talk about the Cate Blanchett sequences, but my favorite part has always been the Richard Gere/Billy the Kid stuff, since it deals with the era of Dylan's discography that I grew up most familiar with thanks to my dad. The "Going to Acapulco" sequence is also irresistibly creepy in the best way and I've been thinking about its themes a lot lately in relation to my work. It has strong end of _Fiddler on the Roof_ energy.

Excellent work Elliot. I recently watched this film for a second time and got a lot more from it than my first viewing. It’s very much the Anti-Bohemian Rhapsody. Top marks for your hair and ensemble too!

Hi Elliot, longtime watcher of your channel, first time commenter. Just wanted to say your channel has educated me and exposed me to some really great music I was previously unaware of, particularly with post-Beatle solo work. I am stoked to watch this video; Bob Dylan is my favorite artist and I'm Not There is in my top ten favorite movies, so stoked to hear your opinion and analysis. Thanks for all you do. Take care and best of luck to you and your channel.

i just watched this movie last week. This is the only way to do a proper Dylan biopic.

Ayy finally we got a Bob Dylan video!!

I remember watching this movie 10+ years ago..i had no idea who Bob Dylan was, i was not familiar with him or his music, but i finished the movie understanding him, as a person and as an artist, it did not add to my knowledge of his life story, but everytime i liaten to a bob dylan song now i just remember a part of this movie, and feel a deep understanding to him, this movie was my interdiction to Dylan, am not his biggest fan, but i feel like i know theam deeply now, even if he's noty favorite artist, even if i don't know all of his songs, i just understand him

This channel and the Poliphonic one are my favorites on youtube, but this video puts you in another level!! I really love that someone is talking about this move, and your take is amazing, and a long video is what this movie deserve. Thanks!!

ngl the final line in this video dropping the reason why i'm not there is titled i'm not there is brilliant wonderful work as always, elliot love the outfit btw

Funny how I’ve been watching I’m not there for the last week and it’s slowly been getting me into bob dylan and seeing how you describe the movie in a way I never thought is very interesting, thank you Elliot

A fabulous film. Enjoyed your video too (and you rocking Dylan's 1965 look) - wonderful insights and backstory. Thanks, man.

I loved how the film ended how it started. It shows how there is no end to Dylan's music, it will forever be a part of the soul of american music.

This was EXCELLENT, Elliot! Thank you for making it! I just watched the movie for the first time because a film discussion group I'm in picked it and your recap really brought to life a lot of stuff I missed, and gave me a MUCH deeper appreciation for the movie. As I watched it, I knew that the director was doing A LOT visually that made it very meta, but it was cool to see how you laid that all out. Much more I could rave about with your video---it was all really great---so I'm going to share it with the group. Again, thanks for taking the time to make it!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! This is my favourite movie, and I've been waiting for vids on it for ages! You're the perfect man for the job!

Best review of "I'm Not There"... Thanks for helping us appreciate this wonderful bio-pic that is and isn't at the same time.

I’m glad you eventually got to this. It’s a great little film that eschews biopic conventions (so early too). You would think more biopics would follow this films lead instead of regressing back to basic structures. But times don’t a-change that fast I guess. BTW, would love to see you review Control the movie about Joy Division’s first lead Ian Curtis.

Insanely wonderful expression of why this film is both so powerful and effective as a bob dylan story. I always look forward to your stuff! Keep it up king!

Thank you, Elliot Roberts. You nailed it. This wonderful filmed deserved this well researched and insightfully compelling revue. Terrific; both!

I wish there were more major releases like I’m Not There. Awesome film.

I just started watching your videos yesterday and I am severely hooked. Just when I thought I had seen everything about the Beatles I now have so much more to explore. I am also a fan of most music from the 70’s and it’s refreshing to see someone from your generation that appreciates it too.

Here's Dylan talking about his movie "Renaldo and Clara" in 1978: "This film reveals that there’s a whole lot to reveal beneath the surface of the soul, but it’s unthinkable. That’s exactly what it reveals. It reveals the depths that there are to reveal. And that’s the most you can ask, because things are really very invisible. You can’t reveal the invisible. And this film goes as far as we can to reveal that."

Thank you for this truly brilliant analysis of a very misunderstood film. I have the DVD of I'm Not There and I'm going to have to watch it again now. One observation I would like to add is that I believe the Richard Gere segment is a bringing to life the magical and strange world of the Basement Tapes, which is a carnivalesque land that exists outside of the times and tumult of the late 60s. I can't remember the exact dialogue but I know they make allusions to characters like Tiny Montgomery (a song from the Basement Tapes). Those recordings were heavily inspired by old American folk music and the story lines of songs from the Anthology of American Folk Music, which seem non-sensical on the surface yet somehow tap into some sort of American collective unconsciousness. I think the Richard Gere segment is a manifestation of this unconscious world. In any case, I really enjoyed this video and agree that I'm Not There and Love & Mercy are the pinnacle of the modern rock biopic.

Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a great video

I love how you dress up as the artist/ person when you talk about them

tysm for the upload elliot you are by far my favourite youtuber and i love bob dylan i was having a bad day and your video cheered me up :D

Excellent review, Elliot! I am a Dylan fan and have long loved 'I'm not There' - a true masterpiece in my view, but I fear that you already have to 'know' Dylan to really appreciate it. Clearly, you do, and I impressed by your erudition and research - and including the great clips from the other Dylan documentaries. 'I'm Not There' also got me to watch some Fellini movies for the first time, too. A couple of small notes; 'Suse' is pronounced as 'Suzie' - not quite sure if you said that. Also, it's really unclear just how badly Dylan was injured in his famous motorbike accident - but that is a matter that is never likely to be clarified. Good work - I really enjoyed your review, thank you.

I love this film and just actually rewatched not long ago and it still feels new every time with all the details woven in. Thanks for making a great video about it, more people should know this film.

LOVE your work Elliot. This is another beauty! Please keep them coming brother x

I love the approach of this film. Thanks for a great breakdown!

Man I was wait for you to do something Dylan related. I think this is one of the best representation of an artist, period!

Man, I forgot how much I loved this film. Haven't seen it in years.

Always happy to see a new uplaod from you

Oh my goodness, I have literally been searching for a video to talk about this movie with the level of detail and insight that you do. I love your channel and I think that this video, your video on Love & Mercy, and your Steve Jobs comparison video should be seen by everybody who loves biopics. And after seeing your Elvis (2022) review video, I would love to get a review on the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic once that comes out. Keep up the great work!!

What a beautiful video, and what a great job of research. I'm very excited about the rest of the content you can do. It's very interesting when you explore other amazing artists like Dylan. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication!!!

Whoever did the arrangement and production for the Dylan covers in this movie created a masterpiece. This soundtrack is perfect

This director is excellent for having this amount of attention to detail, but you’re also excellent for being able to point it out so well.

In defence of C. Bale, first off he has a strong British accent, I thin Haynes, making the stupendously genius approach he used to this movie , it means to me Haynes played on Bales really strange attempt to mimic an accent that was nowhere near here, and use it to show the mainly conceptions of Dylan talking like this. We know this is exaggerated., but really it serves up to see so people conception of Dylans unique out there voice. It is the common persons' idea of Bob accent. Another point is Bale has always been a master of switching accents to perfection, he would have rose to this and when Haynes was happy with his accent, I'm sure that's what we heard. Great video. This has really straightened out a lot about the man and the movie. Good stuff, you got a sub bro

Always a good day when Elliot uploads.

I find it so awesome that you put out this fantastic video right as I’m getting into Bob Dylan’s music!

The second time I saw this movie I thought, of Jude Quinn, "Wow, that guy is a really good actor."

Really thoughtful video. Reminded me a lot of the Coen Brothers masterpiece Inside Llewyn Davis.

I've dying for someone to talk about this film in lenght for so longg

The scene of Robbie and Claire outside the courtroom, shot from the window of the courthouse above them and with no noise… Robbie charges Claire with his complaints which we can’t hear but we see his kids run up to hug him because they love him even though he and Claire are too caught up in their pain to notice their children’s love and pain. It’s such an effortlessly human moment in this film that we only get to see from afar, as if it’s a moment too intimate to get close to, while also not allowing us to hear what they are saying highlights the greater context of the effect of those words we can’t hear. Stunning filmmaking.

This is a tremendous video. You really put so much work and thought into these reviews. I enjoyed it a lot.

Very well done, Elliot. You have essayed the richness, beauty, emotion, and complexity of this cinematic gem and it's elusive subject, Bob Dylan. The music is the man, much like Cusak and Dano in the wonderful "Love And Mercy."

I've been wanting a video explaining the movie. Dylan is one of my favorite artists but i struggled the first time watching the movie in understanding it but then learning more bout him and watching the documentaries and piecing the movie together makes a great re watch. My all time favorite movie Kate Blanchetts version of Dylan is my favorite

Can't believe it I've been wanting this since he started talking on biopic

I had chills when you said the last line. Damn, this is perfection

would absolutely love a bob dylan albums ranked vid!

This is one of my all time favorite films. Great video 🔥

Looks like you’ve gone for the 7th Dylan look. Great video

Very well put together. Thank you.

This was a great analysis of the film. Really well done.

God Elliot you really are one of the most underrated UKpostsrs out there

Perfectly timed. Arise, Sir Roberts. Dylan Worst to Best next?

I love how Elliot always dresses as the subject of his videos. Also I am so jealous of your hair, mannnnn.

Incredible commentary and insight.

Truly outstanding analysis. I enjoyed every second. Great.

Ahh! I love your uploads so much!!

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, actually. It inspires me like few movies do. Excellent video!

Great video as always. I love your analysis...✌️

This is my favorite film ever, and it makes me so happy to see there's others out there who also get it, thank you for your video ❤

Thank you!!!! This was amazing!!!

yes i love this movie - most biopics really are very standardised & tend to make all their subjects seem the same. This is so much more interesting. Blanchett is luminous - love the scene where she & the Ginsberg character are shouting at a statue of the crucified Jesus 'We preferred your earlier stuff'!

I love the effort Elliot puts into the videos, even if it's something little like growing out his hair, or dresses accordingly

Our boy Elliot killing it with the outfits once again

I think that a Beatles biopic could take inspiration from this movie. Imagine every era of their career represented with a different visual style that matches with the story being told. During the early sixties, you can have a cinematic black and white style, very polished and professional, representing how they were perceived by the media and how their image was very important at the time. Then, in the late sixties, you switch to a more documentary style, inspired by the "Let It Be" film. Everything feels raw and messy because the Fab Four narrative is over and the end of the band is near.

Yes! I've been waiting for somebody to talk about this movie.

Excellent comprehensive review of Haynes' creative collage biopic and its historic and cinematic references. Love the Fellini, Godard and Peckinpah bits. (Usually I don't care for biopics.)

This was a great review/essay. Do "Control" the Ian Curtis bio-pic next.

Watched this movie dozens of times as a teenager. Absolutely love it.