Like all good documentaries about pop musicians (Imagine and Meeting People Is Easy jump to mind), Don’t Look Back reveals its subject to be both a mesmerizing personality and an intolerable asshole. Pennebaker’s document of Dylan’s ‘65 tour of the UK features lots of footage of Bob smoking, gazing absently out of car windows, making snarky comments about Donovan, and antagonizing journalists. It also showcases several jaw-dropping (and dead silence-inducing) performances of some of his contemporary hits.
What is probably most interesting about this film, however, is that there was a time when a man could become hugely famous singing (and talking) incisively about civil rights, social justice, and war. Simpler times, I guess.
by Leo Goldsmith | Source: Docurama DVD
15 Aug 2005 4:50 PM | Submit Comment