Masked and Anonymous (2003)

Masked and Anonymous: Directed by Larry Charles. With Bob Dylan, Jeff Bridges, Penélope Cruz, John Goodman. A singer, whose career has gone on a downward spiral, is forced to make a comeback to the performance stage for a benefit concert.

“What do Bad Boys II, The Hulk, Charlieu0026#39;s Angels: Full Throttle and Masked and Anonymous have in common? They were all released in the summer of 2003. Unlike the first three mentioned, u0026#39;Masked and Anonymousu0026#39; is certainly not an action blockbuster or popcorn flick. Itu0026#39;s not the kind of movie that you can sit in the sun all day and then show up for and check your brain at the door. (It does have a limited release, so maybe it will be fall/winter by the time it reaches your town.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI recently saw this at a deserted mall in Los Angeles with a couple of friends, one proclaiming it the worst movie heu0026#39;d ever seen. (Usually Iu0026#39;d debate them on the car ride back, but I was too busy absorbing what I had just seen.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Itu0026#39;s been about a week since I saw the flick and Iu0026#39;m still forming an opinion, which counts for something. The biggest thing Iu0026#39;m trying to figure out is if the whole movie is just a big joke perpetuated by Bob Dylan and Larry Charles. Considering Charlesu0026#39; work on u0026quot;Seinfeldu0026quot; (The Limo, The Opera, etc.) I have a good feeling it is. But itu0026#39;s a good joke, playing to all sides. Detractors can knock the movie because of lack of plot, while Dylan fans can search to find a deeper meaning. It seems Charles and Dylan are sitting back laughing at both of them. (Just as net geeks can chuckle at Dylanu0026#39;s crack at acting.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e In terms of history, u0026#39;Masked and Anonymousu0026#39; wonu0026#39;t make any critics best lists or AFI specials, the film is simply not that great. However, the ideas put forth by it, are certainly worthwhile. No matter how you want to slice it, there are certain parallels between the world of Masked and Anonymous and our current world situation. Does Dylan have the answers to this, no, he clearly states he doesnu0026#39;t. Heu0026#39;s just a song-and-dance man after all. No sense getting worked up over questions that cannot be answers, but itu0026#39;s fun trying to, right? (That paradox is the crux of the film.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e In closing, yes the movie borders on pretentious and yes it lacks a solid narrative. But considering that 99 percent of movies are pretty cookie cutter and have as much substance as a marshmallow, u0026#39;Masked and Anonymousu0026#39; should be praised for taking a risk and actually questioning the audience. (Not in the sense that Bruce Willis was actually a ghost the whole time.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e On a final side note, it is disturbing to see Walter and the Dude at each otheru0026#39;s throats.”