In 1961, an enigmatic 19-year-old Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Directed by James Mangold, A Complete Unknown is the electrifying true story behind the emergence of one of the most influential singer-songwriters in history.
On an emotional level, A Complete Unknown feels deliberately distant to maintain Dylan’s elusiveness as a character. Superbly portrayed by Chalamet, the biopic depicts a layered portrait of a superstar, his growing disenchantment with fame, as well as his difficulty connecting with the people around him. Despite adhering to a formulaic structure often associated with biopic movies, A Complete Unknown succeeds in conveying what makes Dylan a captivating figure – his persona, groundbreaking musical achievements, and his refusal to succumb to the norms of the time.
The unbiased examination of Dylan adds a ton of depth it would not have otherwise had. Set against the backdrop of a transformative time in history, A Complete Unknown sees Dylan navigating an early 1960s that eventually ushered in a pivotal moment when music, art, and society converged. Thematically, the biopic is about changing times, and it’s immensely fascinating to take a glimpse into a world on the cusp of cultural upheaval.
While Chalamet clocks in what is arguably his best performance to date, A Complete Unknown is one of those movies where multiple levels of talent come together in perfect harmony. Edward Norton astonishes as folk legend Pete Seeger, who is painted as a father figure to Dylan. Furthermore, both Elle Fanning’s Sylvie (as a character based on Dylan’s then-girlfriend Suze Rotolo) and Monica Barbaro’s Joan Baez are instrumental in the characterisation of Dylan, while also standing on their own as memorable characters in the movie.
Like the great biopics, Mangold’s A Complete Unknown is a refreshingly honest depiction of a complex character. It challenges the ideas of myth, which is further boosted by Chalamet’s phenomenal portrayal of a musician whose obsession can drive even his closest associates and loved ones crazy. A Complete Unknown strikes the right chord in delivering its themes of artistic integrity and changing times, as well as a daring portrayal of the man behind the myth.
*A Complete Unknown is available at selected GSC locations as part of GSC International Screens line-up. For more information, visit here.
