Todd Haynes directed this unique insight into the legendary songwriter with six different characters each representing a different time, place and personality of Bob Dylan.  This film is one of the boldest of the year, grasping the qualities of a legend through the many men (and in this case women and children) that make up the legend.

The cast is excellent, each doing their part and representing the man within the man that forms the icon. The multiple characters (all having names other than Bob Dylan)  keep the film very interesting while giving it a unique appeal and even more profound meaning by giving a face to the different personalities of Dylan throughout his life. The Guthrie-worshipping young Dylan is represented by a young black vagabond, traveling the railways with his guitar and his deep-rooted points of view.

The newly famous folk idol (Christian Bale) is also present alongside the musician whose style change and ‘rock-star' status have been rejected by his fans (Cate Blanchett). While these are definite historically accurate portrayals of Dylan in the film, there are other more abstract representations such as the outlaw (Richard Gere), and also the man confused about himself, those close to him and his stardom (Heath Ledger). 

These characters are, at first, a little confusing. Once the audience comes to grasp a female actress representing a male folk hero and a black child representing a young man coming into his beliefs and his voice, it is understood why Haynes used these characters to represent Bob Dylan, a man whose personality was a mystery and who's face could transform to whoever he was at that point in time.

While the multiple plotlines and their characters reflect the life of Bob Dylan, the film also illustrates the times in which the music helped shape.  Many major historical events of the late 1960s and 1970s are depicted such as the Vietnam conflict, the JFK assassination and the civil rights movement. All those events were affected by Dylan's music and his music was also used to influence those them. 

The historical aspects of the film work well with the meaning and are essential to the representation of the music. Some documentary styling is worked into the film, but using actors to be interviewed instead of factual people. This is interesting but it gives the viewer a sense of deja-vu if they have seen Scorsese's documentary "No Direction Home."

While the documentary edge is slightly overdone, the historical demonstrations help balance the very abstract situations and excerpts. The film also maintains equilibrium by telling the true-to-life events of Dylan, such as the infamous "Judas!" fiasco at Albert Hall in 1966, while keeping abstract sequences and scenes to display the mood and disposition of the characters. While a balance is maintained, the boldness of this film is so much that the meaning may be blurred and difficult to grasp, but they generally play to the film's positive side.

The film itself is great and the musical soundtrack is very original with primarily Dylan songs (obviously), but there are other tracks to keep things on an even keel. The majority of the Dylan tunes are many of his recordings, but there are also many great takes on the classics from important artists of this era, such as Eddie Vedder, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Sonic Youth and an immaculate vocal performance by My Morning Jacket's, Jim James.

Lofty is one word to describe this film. It has done something which is rarely attempted in cinema, and while it does have some drawbacks, those are sure to come with art as distinctive and exceptional as this piece. While some of the meaning is hidden by the haze of the incredible style, a closer look will reveal the truth, perhaps paying homage to the mystery behind the man it portrays.