Rented the title in question, with low expectations(rapidly realizing that they are the secret to life). Was pleasantly shocked at how enjoyable it ended up being. It opens with an energetic Japanese cover of My Back Pages that would have nestled in nicely with Lost In Translation if Sofia could have swung the licensing. This track, coupled with its associated imagery, sets the tone for a song driven, highly stylized jaunt through what might seem at first blush to be familiar territory. Hearing the urgent emoting and familiar melodic and rhythmic elements delivered in an unfamiliar language serves as bellwether for what is to come. All of the themes familiar to fans of Dylan's work appear, but are given a much different treatment due to the affordances of the cinematic medium.

Woven throughout the film are well chosen versions of Dylan's songs performed by him and others. It is structured with a point/counterpoint alternating between dramatic performance and song. The inclusion of Blind Willie McTell, performed by Dylan himself over a haunting backdrop of appropriately stark and hopeless visuals is inspired and worth the price of a rental on its own. This song had always been a personal favorite and its smug inclusion on mixes had always served as a handy “you think you know Dylan from what you have heard on the radio and the two albums of his that you own” call to back catalog investigation. For those not sated of their Blind Willie McTell jones by the version in the film (which is omitted from the soundtrack, but is available on Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 (the film version, featuring Marc Knopfler on guitar, and Dylan on Piano and vocals) and The Band's under appreciated 1993 Robbie Robertson-less effort Jericho. (Rick Danko takes vocal duties on this version, bringing all the midlife pain of a life that peaked at 35 to bear.)

Other musical highlights include:
• One more Cup of Coffee - Crushingly beautiful rendition by Turkish "superstar?" by Sertab Erener
• Like a Rolling Stone - Italian Rap Version by Articolo 31
• My Back Pages - from the Ramones 1993 Acid Eaters
• If You See Her, Say Hello - touching Italian version (Non Dirle Che Non E' Cosi') by Francesco de Gregori
• Everything performed by Dylan and his current crackerjack touring band

So, separate from the excellent music, this film has much to offer. Blessed with a veritable all-star cast, it features inspired turns by Jeff Bridges, Penélope Cruz, John Goodman, Jessica Lange and Luke Wilson in sizable roles, where they prove to be more than up to the challenge presented by the highly stylized dialogue which requires line readings somewhere between theatrical and performance art. The tone and presentation of the narrative elements is a courageous gambit, and this decision is most likely where most critical support was lost. Ultimately it seems only appropriate for a fable to be told fabulistically, and Larry Charles deserves a great deal of praise for eliciting novel and powerful work that clearly stretched the chops of the well-known and oft heralded cast. Smaller, but equally wonderful, turns by Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, Cheech Marin, Chris Penn, Christian Slater, Giovanni Ribisi, and particularly Mickey Rourke round out the film.

Highly recommended without qualification or hesitation.