Cate Blanchett: She's not there as Dylan
July 15, 2007 | 5:08
pm
After nabbing an Oscar for portraying Oscar's biggest winnah Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator," Cate Blanchett shouldn't bother preparing an acceptance speech for taking on the role of Bob Dylan. She's absurdly unbelievable in this clip of "I'm Not There" directed by Todd Haynes ("Far From Heaven"). Here's a snippet from You Tube dramatizing a mobile, pretentious meeting between Dylan and poet Allen Ginsberg. Also starring as Dylan — but still unseen — are Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Richard Gere. At least they're in the right gender zone, so perhaps will be a bit more believable.
Tom, if you'd done some more research about the project you would know that Cate is not supposed to be portraying Dylan per se, but only a portion of his personality. In any case your critique is highly disrespectful because you've gone on and judged an entire performance based on a two-minute clip, not to mention that the movie hasn't even been released yet. Incidentally, what did you think of her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn?
Posted by: Lana | July 29, 2007 at 05:44 PM
Umm, what clip were you watching? I found her totally believable. And, for the record, I don't think it's even a point for her to be believable (even though she was) You've clearly never heard of this movie and don't know what it's about. She's not playing Bob Dylan. She's playing a certain side of Bob Dylan and she does it well in this clip. I imagine she'll do fine. I don't think she'll be nominated because this movie sounds too weird for the academy.
Tom O'Neil loved Dreamgirls, so who cares what he thinks?
Posted by: J | July 17, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Marshall, that was f-ing hilarious.
I'm gonna laugh when she gets dually snubbed. Joke's on you, BETCH.
Anyway, Tom, I completely agree. First of all, Cross competently outacts her ass. Secondly, I knew it was going to be a ridiculous gimmick from the get-go. The morons who predicted her for double nominations at the end of this year are biased jackasses. Now, this may sound like I hate her, but she's actually one of my top five favorite actresses of this generation. And I wanted her to win for Notes. But I'm not going to let that skewer my objectivity. She is going to suck it hard. It's gonna embarrass any retard who puts her on their early or even late predictions. Ain't no way in hell will she snag a nom for that. Deal with it now, fanboys. It'll hurt less in Jamuary.
Posted by: James | July 16, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Tom, I couldn't agree more. This looks lame. And not funny, nor interesting, nor anything. We're ACTING NOW!!!!
Posted by: kent marley | July 16, 2007 at 04:20 PM
You don't have to be rude to people just because they disagree with you, Tom. For instance, how do you know if I said I thought she was amazing because I liked her and not because as a fan I know a thing or two about Dylan and because I'm very intrigued by the concept of this movie and what I saw on this clip? Believe you or not, that's actually the case here. I think Blanchett managed to incorporate Dylan's mannerisms and his passion and hunger from experience back in the 1960's also come across in this scene.
Gotta tell you, I'm extremely disappointed to find out one of the people I've come to rely on for information on cinema dismisses other people's opinions and thinks of his as gospel.
Posted by: Kate | July 16, 2007 at 09:09 AM
When she wins Best Supporting Actress for this as a consolation for THE GOLDEN AGE, she'll be sure to thank Tom O'Neill.
Posted by: Marshall | July 16, 2007 at 12:45 AM
It seems premature (and somewhat unfair) to judge a performance based on a less than two minute clip.
Given Dylan's status, I suspect that all of the Dylan-inspired characters (such as Blanchett's Jude) will be open to criticism regardless of the quality of the performances. People have certain perceptions about Dylan that will inevitably affect how the film is received.
Posted by: Ladymerlin | July 16, 2007 at 12:20 AM
Oh, gimme a break! Just because YOU LIKE HER you're blind to the fact that she's NOT BELIEVABLE in any way, so the performance fails on every level. In fact, it's a gawdawful embarrassment.
Posted by: Tom O'Neil | July 15, 2007 at 09:26 PM
I think Cate's wonderful in that clip! Remember the actors are there to play aspects of Dylan -- and not Dylan himself. So it's not a proper to compare this performance with her Kate Hepburn win.
Posted by: mac_p | July 15, 2007 at 08:53 PM
I couldn't disagree with you more Tom, I think she's absolutely amazing!
Posted by: Kate | July 15, 2007 at 07:23 PM