I’m Not There portrays the story of the legendary singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, with actress Cate Blanchett chosen as one of the six parts it was deconstructed into. Many questioned whether Blanchett could do justice to the famous bird’s nest of frizz, but she eventually delivered an impressive performance that shocked the audience.
While it was an unconventional choice on the director’s part, it also added pressure on the actress to portray the role authentically, as it was one of the most challenging jobs to execute on screen.
Why Did Cate Blanchett Agree to Play Bob Dylan on Screen?
Playing an androgynous role on screen can be incredibly tricky. Despite being a highly skilled actress, Cate Blanchett has repeatedly stated that the 2007 project was one of the most demanding roles she has ever undertaken. However, she was particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity because she truly believed in her heart that she could do justice to the character. In an interview with Metro (via Uncut), she stated,
“I always dressed as a man when I was at school. I loved wearing a tie and shirt and I was always wearing suits.”
She also disclosed that clothing played a significant role in her portrayal of the character. Blanchett revealed that putting a sock down her pants had helped her immerse herself in the role more effectively. On BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, she said,
“A friend of mine who’s a make-up artist said to me a few days into the shoot: ‘Put a sock down your pants!’–I said: ‘What?!’ She said: ‘You’re on the bed, put a sock down your pants,’ and I said, ‘Oh, OK’ and I did! And I didn’t look back. It absolutely helped,”
However, these aspects were the relatively straightforward elements of the journey. The director of the project disclosed Blanchett’s anxiety and fear about taking on the role.
Cate Blanchett Was Very Scared to Take on the Role!
The director Todd Haynes who incredibly segregated the singer’s life into six parts, wanted Cate Blanchett to portray one of them, to paint the subtle feminine side of Dylan on screen effortlessly. As reported by the Guardian, he revealed,
“I felt it was the only way to resurrect the true strangeness of Dylan’s physical being in 1966, which I felt had lost its historical shock value over the years,”
He then further added,
“Cate was scared; she told me many times that this was a very scary challenge for her. It took her a long time to commit to it … I told her it’s good to be terrified, that you’re taking a risk and sometimes that’s really when the surprises happen. I guess it at least convinced her to give it a shot.”
Although she was scared, she didn’t leave any room for complaints. The actress researched and watched several documentaries regarding the star to nail his mannerisms, especially during that moment of his life, perfectly and it did reflect on screen.
I’m Not There is available on Apple TV for rent.
