Bob Dylan's new movie 'Masked and Anonymous' is due to open in New York tomorrow, and in LA on Wednesday. The movie, also starring Jeff Bridges, Penelope Cruz, John Goodman, Jessica Lange and Luke Wilson, marks Dylan's return to the big screen and his first major starring role since 'Renaldo and Clara' in 1978.
Dylan wrote the script with Larry Charles, best known for his work as a scriptwriter on 'Seinfeld' and 'Mad About You'. He plays a singer whose career is on a downward spiral and is forced to make a comeback at a benefit concert after Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney are suddenly unavailable. Backstage before the performance, he is handed a list of other people's song he is told to sing including 'Revolution', 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and 'Ohio' but goes out and does his own thing anyway. Right on.
The soundtrack features 14 Dylan songs, four of which are performed in the movie. 'Dixie' and 'Diamond Joe' are traditional songs recorded and performed for the first time. 'Cold Irons Bound' and 'Down In The Flood' are new performances.