Academy Award-nominated James Mangold brings a biographical drama about one of the biggest stars in music history, Bob Dylan, A Complete Unknown. Mangold co-wrote the script with Jay Cocks, which is based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties by Elijah Wald. The film boasts a star-studded cast featuring Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, and Timothee Chalamet, who plays Bob Dylan.
A Complete Unknown Movie Review
Set in 1961, New York, we follow a 19-year-old kid from Minnesota who arrives in the big city with his guitar, hoping to play some tunes. Dylan wants to hunt down Woody Guthrie in a hospital, where he runs into Pete Seeger and plays them some music. From here, Seeger takes him under his wing to show him the ropes, and the rest is kind of history.
I walked into this movie with minimal expectations nor excited because Bob Dylan’s music wasn’t my cup of tea. I knew a few of his songs, but I wasn’t enamored. That said, James Mangold does an excellent job of balancing the script to deliver for those who are Dylan fans and those who aren’t or are there to watch Chalamet. Dylan is a legend and a groundbreaking songwriter, and Mangold highlights that well.
There is absolutely no better place to set a film than New York. James Mangold understood that, and his collaboration with cinematographer Phedon Papamichael and the other talented team that brought the city to life was nothing short of mesmerizing. Papamichael’s work is stunning and deserving of any awards that may come his way. The transitional phase of Bob Dylan was the vocal point of this film, and how they utilized the colors around him to highlight that was fantastic.
Chalamet, Chalamet, Chalamet, he blew me away with his audacious performance in Dune: Part Two. With A Complete Unknown, Chalamet as Bob Dylan captivates you with such precise conviction and charisma that it reels you in from the opening credits. There was this vibe with Dylan that oozed such confidence in the way he roamed the city, which was so enticing. Chalamet embodies Dylan in a similar way that Austin Butler did with Elvis, albeit not as flashy.
I bring up Butler because you can see that Mangold may have seen parallels with Baz Luhrmann’s display of Elvis, which he could utilize to capture the essence of Dylan. If you remember, in Elvis, Presley was told not to perform his hits in front of a sold-out crowd and ended up doing it anyway. This moment was the turning point in the performance that led to Butler garnering award recognition.
A similar moment happens with Dylan as he is about to perform on stage at the folk festival, where they tell him to do the songs they want him to. To me, this is Timothee Chalamet’s Oscar moment because his nonchalant, carefree performance was brilliant. Chalamet continues to show that he is the best actor in this generation.
Along with Chalamet’s mesmerizing performance is a set of fantastic supporting performances that delivered. Monica Barbaro and Chalamet’s chemistry is unmatched. Whether it was in moments of lust or moments of hate, these two were dynamic on-screen. Elle Fanning and Edward Norton were essential in helping deliver the best of Chalamet as Dylan. I also have to shout out Dan Folger, who often goes under the radar but was again fantastic as Albert Grossman.
One of my favorite things about A Complete Unknown is how James Mangold whimsically intertwined Dylan’s songs and tied them to the story he was telling. Each song he chose to be in the film had a rhyme and a reason, and their purpose elevated the film.
Is A Complete Unknown worth watching?
A Complete Unknown is excellent because of everyone in front of or behind the camera. From the ensemble cast to the technical elements to James Mangold’s brilliant direction, it is one of the year’s best films. Timothee Chalamet brings Bob Dylan to life so a new generation can grasp the legend’s music. Chalamet’s performance only highlights that he is THE future star of the movie business. Whether you are a fan of Chalamet or a fan of Dylan, you need to check this out on the big screen. It’s a pure majestic ride that feels like nothing but vibes.
A Complete Unknown hits theaters on Christmas Day
A Complete Unknown Review – A Riveting Biopic
