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Masked and Anonymous | Year: 2003 Classification: Drama Directed: - Larry Charles Actors/Actresses: - Bob Dylan - John Goodman - Jessica Lange "A Sci-Fi, Film Noir, Spaghetti Western," Surrealistic Film! Bob Dylan fans will love this surrealistic film, starring Bob Dylan, co-written by Bob Dylan (apparently under the pseudonym of "Rene Fontaine"), about Bob Dylan, with an extraordinary supporting cast of Hollywood royalty who all seem to revere Bob Dylan. It seems like everybody who is anybody in tinsel town, with an appropriately reverent attitude toward "Mr. Tambourine Man," wanted to be in the movie and act with the maestro. The "anybodys" in the cast include: John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges as a bizarre reporter who grills interview subjects, Penélope Cruz as his supremely neurotic girlfriend with a 333 tattoo and an Incan wardrobe, Luke Wilson in snakeskin, Angela Bassett, Chris Penn, Christian Slater, Mickey Rourke, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer - very funny as a rabid animal activist, Bruce Dern, Cheech Marin, Giovanni Ribisi, and Fred Ward - Dylan groupies all. Larry Charles directed "Masked and Anonymous." He is an acclaimed television writer for Seinfeld and HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The movie is set in an unnamed third world country post disastrous counterrevolution...or, it could be the US turned third world country because of a disastrous counterrevolution. Dylan's song, "Desolation Row," was probably consulted and studied before the set designer went to work. Music impresario Uncle Sweetheart, played by a sleazy John Goodman, decides to host a musical benefit for the children made miserable by the country's upheavals. He and his blowzy producer, (Jessica Lange), are unable to get any of their A-List performers to star. Paul McCartney, Springsteen, Billy Joel all just say "no." The only available musician willing to perform is Jack Fate, (played by guess who?), who has to be sprung from jail before he can show up. There is an underlying story about a despicable, dying dictator who looks just like Saddam Hussein, (Richard Sarafian), and could be Jack Fate's father. It really doesn't matter who he is, though, in the general scheme of things. If you like Bob Dylan, you won't mind the laid-back air of confusion surrounding whatever plot there is. Just go with the flow - a very 60s thing to do. Much of the film's dialogue seems to come from Dylan's songs, some in-jokes that older fans, born before the 1960s, will undoubtedly understand, (I sure did), and wry commentary about almost everything. Some of the dialogue is quite funny. What isn't funny, however, are all the obviously aging stars - who share approximate birth dates with me. The aging process leave no one untouched. Mr. Dylan is totally deadpan, as usual. Has anyone ever seen him smile? It is difficult to understand much of what he says - but hey, I'm a Dylan fan, Bigtime! So, while I may feign a bit of disrespect and sarcasm, I was thrilled to see my favorite super-charismatic, anti-hero and musical genius on the big screen. He makes amazing music - still. His back-up is excellent. He performs six songs on camera, four of his own and two standards, "Diamond Joe" Dylan plays Dylan Two things will really add to the appreciation of thid film. 1. An extremely open mind and 2. a working knowledge of Bob Dyaln; his history, his philosophy, his music. This is not a high budget film. Think more surrealist art house film. It does have many stars that most people will recognize, but that isn't the focus, nor point of the movie. This is the highly metaphorical tale of a musician and how he can't control his place in a chaotic society, but can remain true to his own self amid the chaos. The very loosely woven plot becomes secondary to the individual events which make up the film, each scene revealing a nugget of Dylan's perspevtive. Dylan often delivers comments that make the entire scene seem irrelevant. In this way this is, at times, a very funny film. Dylan seems relaxed, especially compared to the other films he has made. The feeling is much more "Don't Look Back", much less "Hearts of Fire". He does retain his wooden movement and he delivers his short lines as commentary more often than conversation. The soundtrack is exceptional. The performances are a real treat. All Dylan songs, but unique versions which fit seemlessly into the texture of the movie. The little girl singing "The Times They are A-Changin" will at least choke you up a bit, and possibly help us to remeber exactly how much that song meant 41 years ago, and how much it still means today. I certainly recommend this to Dylan fans, especially those who respect or admire his perspective on the world. Anyone who enjoys non formulatic surreal films may also find much enjoyment in this movie. There is too much to pick everything up in your first screening when looking for interesting comments or details. I would recommend trying to watch and a get a feel for the film initially. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to make sense of every detail. In that way it is like most of Dylan's music, to be experienced repeatedly. IT IS WORTH A WATCHING I've been a Dylan fan since the early 60's, when I was in diapers.<BR>As popular or unpopular it has been over the years. If I've got some Dylan playing and you don't like it, leave! I saw this at the video store, thought I'd give it a shot. Lots of famous folks, to round off a great cast of support. From the beginning you can tell the script is pulled from almost every Dylan song imaginable. So it's more of a film then a movie. My question is: Are all these actors acting so horrible to make Bob look good? Please don't anyone say he's a great actor?<BR>It is a fun movie to watch, again someday. <BR>Dylan play's some traditional music that sets the movie up a few notches. Over all a 3 star movie, not because of Bob playing a tough guy, lmao!! Buy Masked And Anonymous at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  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