A Complete Unknown Review
Few figures in music history are as enigmatic as Bob Dylan, and A Complete Unknown dives headfirst into the myth, the man, and the moments that shaped his revolutionary career. Directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, this biographical drama isn’t a cradle-to-grave retrospective. Instead, it captures a specific, transformative chapter in Dylan’s life: his shift from folk darling to electric trailblazer during the mid-1960s. So, does Mangold’s approach strike a chord, or does it fall flat? Let’s find out.
The Legend and the Layers
Timothée Chalamet embodies Dylan with a striking mix of aloofness and intensity, capturing not just the man’s iconic look but also his contradictions. He’s mercurial yet grounded, confident yet visibly searching. Chalamet’s performance is less an impersonation and more an interpretation, one that leans into Dylan’s inscrutability while giving us glimpses of vulnerability behind the shades.
The supporting cast is equally stellar. Monica Barbaro’s Joan Baez provides a fiery counterpoint to Dylan’s cool demeanor, and their chemistry brims with tension and tenderness. Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch as Albert Grossman, Dylan’s manager, delivers a shrewd performance, embodying the calculated pragmatism behind Dylan’s rise to fame.
The Electric Storm
The film’s centerpiece is, of course, Dylan’s infamous “going electric” moment at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Mangold stages this scene with visceral intensity, capturing the hostility of the crowd, the sheer audacity of the move, and the seismic shift it represented in music history. The live performances are electrifying, with Chalamet convincingly channeling Dylan’s stage presence.
Yet, the film doesn’t shy away from the fallout. Dylan’s interactions with his peers, fans, and even himself are fraught with the growing pains of an artist redefining his identity. It’s a story of rebellion, not just against societal norms but against the expectations of those closest to him.
A Visual and Sonic Triumph
Mangold’s direction is both intimate and expansive, balancing close-up moments of introspection with sweeping shots that capture the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s. Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael’s work drenches the film in a muted, nostalgic palette, evoking the spirit of the era without feeling dated.
The soundtrack—a mix of Dylan’s classics and period-appropriate tracks—adds another layer of authenticity. Chalamet’s vocal performances, while not identical to Dylan’s, carry the raw emotion and charisma needed to sell the act.
Room for More?
While A Complete Unknown is a compelling portrait, it does leave some questions unanswered. The film’s focus on a specific period means we get only a slice of Dylan’s multifaceted life. While this approach works in maintaining a tight narrative, those hoping for a broader exploration of Dylan’s influence might feel shortchanged.
Final Verse
A Complete Unknown is as much about Dylan’s metamorphosis as it is about the cultural revolution of the 1960s. With stellar performances, sharp direction, and an unapologetically narrow focus, it paints a vivid, complex picture of an artist who refused to be pinned down. Like Dylan himself, the film is layered, enigmatic, and utterly captivating.
