Reviewing "I'm Not There" by Deanna Clark

In Tom Haynes film, "I'm Not There" characters struggle with identity and use certain genres of music to identify themselves with as a means of escaping the demands and expectations of society. The film uses music as a forefront for social politics and represents a new found identity for most characters. Several characters are shown to be tied to a specific genre of music which represents their inner-being and outer desires. They cling to their style of music, as other characters they encounter question their reasoning to do so. This is reflected through the films structure, and the dramatic needs of Jack Rollins and the journey of Woody.
The film's dramatic structure seems to combine both elements of conventional film as well as those of a documentary. Although there are several storylines that thread the film, there were also parts portrayed as mock interviews and commentaries by people who knew Jack Rollins for instance. One title screen that appears in the film, says "A view of the world belonging to one generation". Throughout the movie, Haynes portrays different groups of people who stand behind the music that they thought best described their inner feelings about their life or the flaws of society. That specific title suggests that the supporters of Jack Rollins music, were strong believers in the message behind it, and identified with the music as their message to their society.
Looking at Woody's character who was always on the run from place to place was seemingly using his blues music as his identity. His guitar almost immediately becomes symbolic of his connection to his music, thusly being the drive of his passion to play and sing. However, when he encounters a female character who questions his reasoning to want to play music that is beyond his age, he has no explanation and ends up leaving.
Jack Rollins character also experiences identity issues with his fans who identify with the music he performs early on, but later in the film his fans become angry with changes that he has made in his music, and his desires to no longer write music that protests the issues they once did. However, he still sticks to his new found identity in music although people start to hate him and he losese supporters. He is called a traitor and accused of conforming to societal premises. In short, music seems to take on several responsiblities in the film, being used as identity, as well as a political tool for those wanting to speak out against the atrocities of society and a way of escapism from the expectations of ones peers.