1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost accomplishes exactly what it seeks to., October 13, 2011
This review is from: Bob Dylan 1966-1978 After the Crash (Amazon Instant Video)
This is the second Dylan documentary in the series produced by UK-based Chrome Dreams. This one is far superior to the first ("Tales from a Golden Age" - which covers the same period, but certainly not as well, as "No Direction Home"). It suffers only in comparison to third in the series, "Both Ends of the Rainbow," which was filmed later, had better filming techniques, and had access to additional information that was simply not present at the time that the first two films were made.
The interviews in this second film were obviously done at the time of the first. However, this film benefits from access to additional music performances than "Tales from a Golden Age." Because the producers seemed to have had no access to the album cuts of the songs, the performances are essentially limited to televised live versions, with notations that the "original version" was on this or that album. That said, these alternative versions are fascinating in and of themselves.
The documentary covers, in quite a good depth, a period in Dylan's biography much less known than the period prior to the crash. The film also benefits, greatly, by the involvement of Dylan's "Desire" collaborator, Jacques Levy. His interview was accomplished shortly before Mr. Levy's death and the closing credits acknowledge him. Missing from the documentary are many other people who actually were working with Dylan at the time, with the notable exceptions of Scarlet Rivera and Rob Stoner.
The film offers some fascinating insights into the albums and songs. I would not say that I agree with all of the interviewees about the quality of one or another album. Having come to appreciate Dylan much more recently, I have had the advantage of looking at his work as a whole, all at once, and with access to The Bootleg Series, as well. Thus, I do not have the visceral reaction to some of the albums that others have. Indeed, I have somewhat of soft spot for "Self Portrait." Indeed, if "Self Portrait" were marketed as "The Bootleg Series, vol. ½," which it essentially is, I think that the critical appraisement would be very different.
This documentary features extensive involvement by Clinton Heylin. This film closes with the same statement by Mr. Heylin that opens "Both Ends of the Rainbow," which nicely ties the two films together. Mr. Heylin is, himself, a very controversial figure among Dylan critics. That said, I appreciate Mr. Heylin's own critical contributions and find his lack of worship of Dylan refreshing.
It is important to understand that this is a documentary about the process of the making of Dylan's music, the critical response to it at the time of its release, and a reassessment of it with the passage of time. The film touches on Dylan's biography only to the extent that his biography touches on the songs themselves. If that is what you are looking for, then you will be well pleased with this film. If you are looking for something else, however, then you should look elsewhere.
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