Screen Test: Bob Dylan

Of the screen tests Warhol series I've seen so far, this one starring legendary Bob Dylan was the least impressive of the bunch. Strange since at the time of the film's release he was the most famous person of the group of people filmed in the 1960's, the majority was establishing themselves and developing their careers. Maybe that's the key fact with those tests: the less you know about the person in front of camera, the more you have to discover - with the notable exception of Dennis Hopper, who back then was a known figure in Hollywood (though not as much as he would become after "Easy Rider") and he was outside of the underground group of people Warhol used to gather in New York.

What's not to like about the creator of "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Hurricane"? Nothing, the man is a genius and deserves all the success he's got over the decades. I like this short, just as like all the other Warhol screen tests. But this one with Mr. Dylan was not strong enough. The man's too serious, doesn't act or move much, he just stays there in all seriousness, possibly overthinking why is he doing such film. In some tests here and there, the main figure is allowed to play with some prop, or laugh, or change of expressions and emotions, but Mr. Dylan doesn't change his routine at all so there isn't much we can sense or feel. Well, just a minor historical moment in time when two great geniuses collaborated with each other. 6/10.