As a lifelong Bob Dylan fan who grew up listening to his tunes and trying (and failing) to master the harmonica, I can confidently say that “A Complete Unknown” is a must-watch for any Dylan devotee. The film takes us on a journey through the early years of one of music’s most iconic figures, and Timothée Chalamet delivers an electrifying performance as the young Dylan. I was blown away by his uncanny ability to capture the raw, nasal, scratchy yet passionate voice that we all know and love.
Initial critiques for the film “A Complete Unknown” have been published, and it appears that most critics can’t help but praise the Bob Dylan biopic.
Under the guidance of James Mangold, the movie traces the journey of Timothée Chalamet’s character, Dylan, from January 1961 to his 1965 performance at the Newport Folk Festival. This singer-songwriter has recently moved to New York City from Minnesota, eager to delve into the city’s thriving folk music culture and secure a place on the music charts. Throughout this journey, Dylan incites debate due to his innovative use of electronic instruments.
According to Elijah Wald’s book “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties“, the biopic “A Complete Unknown” is generating discussions for potential awards. The film has been nominated for three Golden Globes, including “best motion picture – drama” and “best performance by a male actor in a motion picture – drama”.
On Tuesday afternoon, the movie titled “A Complete Unknown” had a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 74% based on 58 reviews, and a Metacritic score of 70% from 27 reviews. The film, which will be released in theaters on Dec. 25, features Timothée Chalamet as a producer. In addition to Chalamet, the cast includes Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy in supporting roles.
According to David Rooney, the leading film critic at The Hollywood Reporter, Timothée Chalamet’s performance is “strikingly captivating,” encompassing an electrifying essence. Rooney praises Chalamet’s unique voice, describing it as “rough, nasal, gravelly yet brimming with emotion, fury, and dry wit.” He notes that the voice is reminiscent of the original character but also bears the distinctive imprint of Chalamet, hinting at a bond between the actor and role that seems more like a harmonious fusion than an imitation.
Rooney notes that any fan of Dylan or someone who enjoys the music originating from New York City during the early chaotic years will find pleasure in Mangold’s well-made film. The depiction of the period is impressive, and the numerous musical performance scenes are incredibly immersive, greatly enhanced by the lead actors singing convincingly.
Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian notes that Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Bob Dylan in the film is both humorous and enticing. He describes this character as a reluctant, smirking figurehead for his generation who defies the traditional expectations of folk-acoustic purity, which he sees as a form of self-crucifixion. Chalamet delivers a somewhat serious depiction of a person who embodies aspects of a Steinbeck hero, a pop idol from a boyband, and a sacrificial deity.
Caryn James from the BBC expresses her enthusiasm over Norton, who has been recognized with a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor award at the Golden Globes.
In his writing, James describes Edward Norton’s subtle portrayal of Pete Seeger. At that particular time, Seeger just happens to be present and ends up mentoring Dylan. As the movie progresses, Norton skillfully depicts the mix of admiration and envy Dylan inspires in Seeger. Initially benevolent, Seeger’s demeanor stiffens into disapproval when Dylan’s music starts to evolve. Notably, like all other supporting actors, Norton sings his own parts in the film, doing so impressively.
USA Today’s Brian Truitt likenes the film “A Complete Unknown” to Mangold’s 2005 music biopic “Walk the Line” by stating that both are equally captivating and engaging. Unlike “Walk the Line”, “A Complete Unknown” doesn’t delve into a backstory, instead offering hints through a photo album and mail addressed to ‘Robert Zimmerman’, and it benefits from this approach. As for Timothée Chalamet, he skillfully mirrors Bob Dylan’s distinctive voice in songs like ‘Girl from the North Country’ and ‘Blowin’ in the Wind, but his performances come across as genuine rather than overly imitative.
Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com expresses that the movie, “A Complete Unknown”, explores the diverse factors that mold and distort creativity.
Instead of following the conventional path of a biopic that spans an entire lifetime, Mangold’s film focuses on a pivotal moment in music and global history. Tallerico praises its seamless blend of art and fame, backed by strong performances, understated direction, and natural editing. Despite his disdain for movies about famous figures that rely heavily on established legends rather than original storytelling, and his deep admiration for the elusive music of Bob Dylan, Tallerico admits he anticipated A Complete Unknown to be a typical miss-match. However, just like its subject has done numerous times throughout his six-decade career, this film surpasses expectations.
IndieWire’s David Ehrlich found the music biopic both commendable and exasperating, expressing his thoughts in writing.
In contrast to the step-by-step style that one might anticipate from him based on ‘Walk the Line’, Mangold strives to depict Dylan as a mystery without making him appear hollow or devoid of substance. However, he is not the type of filmmaker who mirrors Dylan’s inclination for artistic rebellion (or his defiant nature). The movie portrays the musician as he awkwardly navigates from one moment of divine inspiration to another, suggesting that even we, the viewers, are uncertain about the true meaning behind his songs or their origins,” Ehrlich pens.
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2024-12-11 00:25