As a child of the 90s who grew up watching MTV’s TRL and trying to keep up with the Britney Spears drama while my parents were busy arguing about Nirvana vs. Guns N’ Roses, I found myself intrigued by the enigma that is Bob Dylan. But, I must confess, I wasn’t exactly a folk aficionado or a music historian. However, James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown” has managed to captivate me in ways I never thought possible for a film about a musician whose songs I barely knew.
Title Release Date: December 25, 2024
What is Bob Dylan all about? The enduring enigma surrounding the folk artist leaves us with more questions than answers. Growing up in an era when Britney Spears’ every move was splashed across tabloids, I found myself drawn to the elusive figure of A Complete Unknown, as a music enthusiast peering from the outside at the musician’s legend. However, there’s something truly captivating about this biopic not being about definitive answers on Dylan or grand messages about his era.
In a remarkable shift, filmmaker James Mangold, known for the Johnny Cash movie “Walk The Line”, manages to strike an impressive balance. He preserves the elusive image of Bob Dylan while simultaneously presenting a captivating performance that might spark renewed curiosity about the folk genre and Dylan’s groundbreaking decision to go electric. By the film’s end, “A Complete Unknown” leaves Dylan as enigmatic as ever yet more tangible than before, and there’s a distinctive appeal in having the artist’s signature style be the heart of his biopic.
You don’t have to be a Bob Dylan fan to appreciate the journey in A Complete Unknown.
The film titled “A Complete Unknown” commences with Timothée Chalamet’s character, Dylan, arriving in New York at the age of 19, carrying only his guitar and a desire to meet his musical hero, Woody Guthrie (portrayed by Scoot McNairy), who is residing at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital due to Huntington’s disease. The movie doesn’t provide any backstory about Dylan before this encounter; instead, it immerses you in the singer’s narrative from that moment onwards. Director Mangold chooses not to delve into all of Dylan’s 83 years of life thus far, offering a captivating viewing experience from start to finish as we are transported back to this era.
Later, Dylan performs a song with Pete Seeger, another renowned folk musician, in Guthrie’s hospital room. Timothée Chalamet portrays Dylan beautifully, effortlessly capturing the raw, enchanting magic of the moment as he strums his guitar and sings live. This scene offers an enthralling introduction to Bob Dylan, with the narrative then primarily focusing on this aspect. The film isn’t concerned with detailing every event in Dylan’s life but rather delving into the artist’s ambition and depicting what it may have been like to witness Dylan in his early days of fame. Mangold’s direction masterfully highlights the performances, avoiding an overly pretentious or overwhelming feel – much like how Dylan seemed to his fans.
Timothée Chalamet rocks at wielding a performance that honors the mystery and undeniable talent of Bob Dylan.
The choice of Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in the film feels like a perfect fit, almost as if the movie wouldn’t have been possible without him. Although he is well-known for his roles in films like “Dune” and last year’s “Wonka,” Chalamet’s portrayal swiftly draws viewers into the story rather than reminding us of his celebrity status. The film’s Dylan portrays a Minnesota accent that isn’t always clear, but this imperfection adds authenticity to the performance. Chalamet skillfully brings to life a character who is eccentric, distant, awkward, egocentric, and genius, offering a more nuanced understanding of Bob Dylan beyond black-and-white images and gravelly singing. Unlike many biopics that tend to glorify their subjects, “A Complete Unknown” doesn’t idolize Bob Dylan excessively.
The film “A Complete Unknown” is also made exceptional by its remarkable supporting actors. Elle Fanning skillfully portrays Sylvie Russo, a character inspired by one of Dylan’s girlfriends, Suze Rotolo. She convincingly depicts the emotional turbulence that a wanderer like Dylan can cause. Monica Barbaro delivers an outstanding performance as Joan Baez, another well-known folk musician who interacts frequently with Dylan. Their performances add depth to Dylan’s character, making him even more intriguing when contrasted with his inconsistent and disruptive personality.
In certain scenes, Boyd Holbrook transforms into an almost unidentifiable companion of Dylan, portraying Johnny Cash. Meanwhile, Edward Norton excels by deviating from his typical roles, embodying the gentle-hearted Seeger who stands beside Dylan during his ascent and rebellion against folk music. In a sense, Norton’s performance serves as a mentor figure for the icon, adding layers of depth to the film with each stroke.
James Mangold delivers a music biopic that is more than above average, but not without a couple minor notes.
Surprisingly, despite my extensive exposure to biographical films about musicians whose songs I’m more familiar with, the film “A Complete Unknown” stands out remarkably. It offers a deep sense of admiration and pleasure when watching Dylan and Joan Baez perform on screen. Through close-up shots and living room performances, it feels like you’ve purchased tickets to mini-concerts in a time machine. This film showcased why folk music is worth exploring and provided a visual tutorial about a significant moment in music history.
In a nutshell, the film “A Complete Unknown” about Bob Dylan is commendable for focusing on his transformation from an emerging folk artist to a renowned musician, but it falls short in fully capturing the vastness of his life. Regrettably, some aspects of his antiwar and civil rights activism are noticeably missing or underrepresented.
Through my discoveries, Bob Dylan is not only a symbol of the ’60s cultural explosion but also a figure who transcends time. Astonishingly, Mangold and the production design team manage to preserve this authenticity visually in A Complete Unknown. This film accomplishes what an ideal Bob Dylan biopic should: it offers an understanding of the artist, makes you feel as if you’ve lived through his early years, and for me, it provided a unique introduction to the artist that has led me to connect with his music as a new fan.
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2024-12-23 06:07