‘A Complete Unknown’ Ending, Explained

by

As I sat in the cinema, watching the captivating biopic “A Complete Unknown” unfold on the screen, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration for the man at its center – Bob Dylan. The film masterfully captured the enigmatic, unpredictable spirit of Dylan during his formative years, a period that saw him rise from an unknown folk artist to a global phenomenon.

The film titled “A Complete Unknown” is part of a trend of popular musical biographies. This time, it focuses on the enigmatic figure Bob Dylan, a towering presence in folk, rock, and counterculture movements. Directed by James Mangold, who also helmed the critically acclaimed Johnny Cash biopic “Walk the Line” (2005), the tale of one of music’s most contentious songwriters has set a new record for Searchlight Pictures as their highest-grossing movie to date. Timothée Chalamet, an Academy Award nominee, takes on the challenge of portraying Dylan and performing all the music himself.

From a passionate cinephile’s perspective, the film “A Complete Unknown” delves deeply into the formative years of Dylan, weaving in his significant interactions with musical icons like Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie. This cinematic journey offers insights into the complexities of achieving stardom and the potential impact it has on one’s values and connections.

A Brief Recap of A Complete Unknown

1961 finds Bob Dylan in New York City with just his guitar for company. He tracks down folk music icon Woody Guthrie, who is ill at a hospital due to Huntington’s Disease, and also meets Guthrie’s friend Pete Seeger, another renowned figure in the folk music world (played by Ed Norton). Dylan plays them an original piece called “Song for Woody,” which impresses Seeger so much that he invites Dylan to stay with his family and takes him under his wing. Seeger immerses Dylan into the New York folk scene, where he catches the attention of talent scouts and eventually crosses paths with fellow artist Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). After signing a record deal, the label is hesitant to take a chance on a new, young voice, so they ask Dylan to mostly cover other songs rather than perform originals for his debut album.

When Dylan crosses paths with Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), a passionate activist, she motivates him to share his own music – tunes with the capability to impact the world around him positively. As they grow closer and eventually cohabit, Sylvie embarks on a prolonged educational trip to Europe. Prior to her departure, Sylvie and Dylan have a heated argument, during which she confesses that despite living together, she doesn’t truly understand Dylan or his background. In the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a turbulent night finds Dylan and Joan drawn towards each other. Their relationship evolves into a romantic one, with Joan discovering some of Dylan’s unpublished songs beside him. This musical collaboration propels Dylan into stardom. However, the public nature of Dylan’s connection with Joan creates tension when Sylvie returns, eventually leading to their separation.

After achieving fame, Dylan grapples with his role within the music industry, desiring authentic artistic expression rather than being boxed in by conventions. Traditionalists like Seeger and organizers of the Newport Folk Festival, an influential but emerging annual event, pressure him to stick to their ideals. While touring with Baez, Dylan publicly refuses to perform one of his most popular songs, “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and walks off-stage in protest. He embarks on experimenting with a new electric rock style, causing tension among his team, fans, and peers. Seeger pleads with him to perform one last acoustic set at the expense of everything he has accomplished. Cash, whom Dylan has been correspondent with, advises him to play his innovative music and “make messes on someone’s rug.” Dylan follows this advice at that year’s Newport festival, coming very close to causing a riot.

Ending Explained: Dylan’s Still ‘Unknown’



Following a contentious performance of rock tunes at the Newport Festival that was greeted with boos, jeers, and even violence, Dylan concluded his set with an acoustic song to placate the audience. With his distinctive sunglasses adorning his face, he departed without uttering a single word to Joan, Pete, Johnny, or any of the others who had played a significant role in his life. Dylan paid one final visit to Guthrie at the hospital, where he played his harmonica for him and tenderly touched his face with affection. Subsequently, he rode off alone on his motorcycle, marking the beginning of an illustrious career as depicted in a series of biopic-style title cards.

In the final moments of the movie A Complete Unknown, it’s revealed that Dylan, the solitary songwriter, was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature but chose not to attend the ceremony as the screen goes dark. This ending encapsulates much about Dylan’s character, and the film’s portrayal of him, which emphasized his enigmatic, brooding nature, and his tendency to be elusive or a flight risk. The movie also suggests that Dylan prioritized his music above personal relationships, reflecting the mysterious figure in popular culture who consistently bucked convention. This aligns with the “unknown” persona in mainstream culture, as Dylan traded his status as a folk hero for what he perceived as a higher artistic purpose.

In summary, the finale of “A Complete Unknown” encapsulates its themes succinctly. Dylan prefers anonymity, having discarded his past and choosing to advance without much thought for what he leaves behind. However, he returns to Guthrie, the man who kick-started his career. Though he might owe his professional success to Seeger or Baez, he owes his soul to Guthrie. Dylan shares one final musical moment with him before departing, symbolizing the inspiration he found during this phase of his life. True to form, Dylan then vanishes into the sunset, guided by his own impulses. The closing title cards serve as a reminder that Dylan is a rebel who rejects institutions. Essentially, “A Complete Unknown” leaves no doubt that Dylan was indeed a “rolling stone.” At present, this film can be seen in theaters across the nation.

Read More

2024-12-28 04:34