Review of Masked and Anonymous (2003) by Nik B — 03 Oct 2009

When getting this film started, I wondered allowed what happened to Jessica Lange's acting ability. She seemed winded and confused even though her character is supposed to be strong and controlling. A few minutes later, I began to realize that the flaw was simply... this is a really stupid script.

Love Bob Dylan; I even stand up to his current musical output. But his script, co-written with a Seinfeld writer Larry Charles, simply makes no sense. Dylan is essentially playing himself in a near-future post-revolution US. John Goodman is a clownishly scummy promoter who has bailed old rock-star Dylan out of jail to play a "benefit" concert which is merely a scam to get money to pay off gambling debts.

First of all, there is NO reason for the revolution. We're never told why its happening and it plays no part in the storyline described above. All that happens is travelling to and preparing for the gig while we meet many characters who get a chance to just espew to arcane riddles and philosophies that don't fit anywhere in the scene. It's as if Dylan had 14 poems lying around that he handed out to the actors. Here, walk on, read this and leave.

I was reminded while watching this, to Southland Tales. Both films deal with a dystopia US, both scripts are a bleak mess, both films have a shitton of cameos. In the end I liked ST because the direction took a fantastic voyage quality. Armed & Dangerous doesn't, nor is it saved by 3 good Dylan performances. Everyone's desire to be a part of getting a Dylan script to screen apparantly did not include giving Bob some constructive criticism.