“A Complete Unknown,” directed by James Mangold captures the early sixties. Bob Dylan arrives in Greenwich Village, New York, makes a name for himself with the help of Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, then inevitably going electric in 1965. Timothée Chalamet delivers a captivating performance as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
Originally I wasn’t sure about the choice of Timothée Chalamet to play Dylan, due to his notable presence in many of his movies in which he stars. But this was the furthest from the truth, Chalamet was able to disappear in “A Complete Unknown” and really transform into Bob Dylan. Chalamet was able to nail Dylan’s quiet and prickly personality. Chalamet was not only able to capture Dylan’s personality but also Dylan’s infamous unique voice and mannerisms. Chalamet was able to replicate Dylan’s unique vocal inflections and distinct mannerisms without it feeling like an impersonation. What stuck out to me most was Chalamet’s ability to sing, play the guitar, and harmonica, while sounding so much alike to Dylan.
Some other strong performances came from the supporting cast such as Monica Barbora as Joan Baez, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, and specifically Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. Norton was able to nail Seegers’ innocent and kind hearted nature. Throughout “A Complete Unknown” Norton was able to portray Seeger’s complex relationship with Bob Dylan as well as his deep admiration to Woody Guthrie. Norton was able to embody Seeger’s genuine personality and his role as Bob Dylan’s mentor throughout the movie. Norton conveys influence on Dylan’s musical journey and his belief in social change. James Mangold encapsulates Dylan’s complex relationships with Sylvie Russo and co-star Joan Baez. The performances from Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo and Monica Barbosa were captivating creating a sense that they truly knew Dylan’s authenticity and true beauty.
“A Complete Unknown” stands out not only because of its captivating story and portrayal of Bob Dylan early in his career but also for the remarkable performances that bring the characters back to life. Timothée Chalamet’s performance was exceptional, Chalamet was able to transform into Dylan creating a truly authentic experience. Edward Norton, as Pete Seeger, delivers a true embodiment of the legendary folk singer which helped compliment Chalamet’s performance as Bob Dylan.
“A Complete Unknown” was paced very nicely as there was never a dull moment that felt boring or flat. James Mangold focused more on the music aspect of Dylan’s life rather than the drama or storyline which I was here for. The supporting cast helped compliment Chalamet’s performance as well as the location shooting and sound design really helped make the movie feel authentic. Above all else “A Complete Unknown” really showcased Dylan’s songs in a compelling way.
However, some critiques I had with the movie were, Mangold never really tied together the complex love triangle between his relationship with Sylvie Russo and the off and on affair with Joan Baez. Throughout the movie the script is scattered as they try to mix in different sides of Dylan’s personality. The biopic wasn’t very unique compared to other rock biopics as it was structured very similar to Mangold’s Walk the Line. However, Like most biopics some of the facts were twisted but Mangold did it in a way that helped create a more compelling story.
For example in the closing festival in which the crowd was enraged by Dylan’s transition to electric. As a result of the outrage someone yelled “Judas” Dylan then turns around and says “I don’t believe you” in which the band goes into “Like a Rolling Stone” creating a compelling moment. However, that really happened when Dylan was playing in Manchester in 1966. “A Complete Unknown” is a compelling story of Bob Dylan’s early music career and it is a very good biopic of the musical icon.
