Dylan, a 19-year-old singer and songwriter, leaves his home in Minnesota and arrives in New York in 1961, destined to change the course of American music. Moving into Greenwich Village, he begins forming personal relationships while focusing on his career as a singer. Timothée Chalamet stars and performs as Bob Dylan, delivering an incredible performance that captures Dylan’s unique sound and subtle nuances. Directed by James Mangold, the film “A Complete Unknown” explores the four-year period when Dylan first emerged on the scene. This excellent movie is based on the 2015 book titled Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald.
In his journey, Dylan meets folk singer Pete Seeger, portrayed remarkably by Edward Norton, alongside a captivating Joan Baez played by Monica Barbaro. Elle Fanning co-stars as a character based on Dylan’s girlfriend, Suze Rotolo. These figures inspire Dylan, yet it’s clear he has a strong will to pursue what is right for himself. James Mangold has said in interviews, “This is a story about a specific moment in a person’s life, not their whole life. It also depicts a world where so much is communicated through song.” The film delves into Dylan’s psyche and his inherent musical genius—a talent that some artists are simply born with. However, it also explores the price of such natural gifts; despite rising to insane popularity, one can often find themselves feeling completely alone.
The film showcases his early performances as he rises to fame, culminating in his controversial use of an electric guitar at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Viewers will see him perform his iconic song, “Like a Rolling Stone,” which the film is aptly named after its lyrics…’A Complete Unknown.’
Whether you are a Bob Dylan fan or not, Timothée Chalamet delivers an authentic singing performance that embodies the voice of a changing generation. Dylan’s electric guitar sound, combined with his harmonica playing, propelled the folk music scene. His portrayal is one of the best performances I’ve seen this year; I truly enjoyed watching him in such an eccentric role. The direction is understated rather than showy or flashy, creating an organic feel for both the time period and the music. The film is currently showing in theaters and is set to open wide on December 25, 2024, by Searchlight Pictures.
Sarah Knight Adamson© December 22, 2024
Hollywood 360 Radio Network Review from Broadcast, listen to Sarah’s Review: https://bit.ly/A_Complete_Unknown_H360_Radio