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I recently watched I’m Not There, a rather insane biographical rendering of the life of Bob Dylan. The film employs seven actors, including a woman (the flawless Cate Blanchett), and a young black boy (the talented Marcus Carl Franklin), each of which play Dylan at various stages of his life. There is no denying it: this is an incredible work or art. I suspect it is riddled with subtle references to Dylanesque trivia that will no doubt fire the loins of any hard core fan. However, despite the rewards that are sure to be found in repeat screenings, the bulk of the film will be lost on anyone not astutely intimate with the legacy of this great man. The narrative is deliberately schizophrenic; the dialogue annoyingly cryptic; in fact, Dylan is never even referred to by name. In the end, despite impressive performances from many of the leads, this visually spectacular film fails to deliver lasting impact. It appears too self-conscious; too purposely arty-farty. Sadly, in the space of two hours, i’d learnt nothing of Dylan. It’s a real shame. An amazing opportunity compromised by self-indulgent experimentation. This iconic man deserved better.

Anyway, i digress. The reason for this post is to pay homage to the absolutely stunning rendition of Dylan’s classic “Goin’ to Acapulco” performed by Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) and Calexico. The guys actually appear in the film performing the song. It’s a hypnotic moment. The haunting vocals of Jim James will send chills down your spine. It’s the most powerful scene of the film. Click the icon below to take a listen.

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