‘A Complete Unknown’ Review: A Soulful Masterpiece of Transformation
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Timothée Chalamet becomes Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, a masterful and evocative exploration of the man behind the music.
Timothée Chalamet delivers a performance for the ages in A Complete Unknown, James Mangold’s riveting and evocative biopic about Bob Dylan’s formative years. Chalamet doesn’t just play Dylan—he is Dylan, capturing the enigmatic artist’s spirit with uncanny precision. From his quiet intensity to his electrifying musical performances, Chalamet’s portrayal is both haunting and magnetic, elevating the film into a work of art that transcends the biopic genre.
The film unfolds as a lyrical journey, taking us from Dylan’s humble beginnings in Minnesota to his emergence as a cultural icon in 1960’s Greenwich Village. Mangold’s direction is rich with atmosphere, immersing the audience in the smoky, cramped coffeehouses and bustling streets of the Village. The cinematography, paired with a raw and evocative score, creates a world as textured and complex as Dylan himself. Each scene, whether it’s Dylan singing “Masters of War” at a small café or crafting “Like a Rolling Stone” in a moment of quiet inspiration, pulses with authenticity.
What sets A Complete Unknown apart is its ability to capture not just Dylan’s external journey but the internal battles that defined his art. The script, co-written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, explores Dylan’s relationships with Joan Baez (a luminous Monica Barbaro) and Sylvie (Elle Fanning, tender and poignant), as well as his camaraderie with Pete Seeger (an exceptional Edward Norton). These connections, fraught with tension and affection, reveal Dylan’s dualities: his longing for connection and his relentless drive for artistic independence.
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Chalamet’s Dylan is an artist caught between tradition and innovation, folk purity and electric rebellion. His transformation—from earnest folk singer to the revolutionary voice of a generation—is captured with such emotional depth that it feels both monumental and deeply personal. The decision to let full-length musical performances play out is a masterstroke, allowing the audience to feel the power of Dylan’s music as if hearing it for the first time.
The supporting cast shines in their own right, particularly Barbaro, whose portrayal of Baez brims with strength and vulnerability, and Norton, whose Seeger is an idealistic counterpoint to Dylan’s restless energy. Together, they create a tapestry of relationships that underscores the personal stakes of Dylan’s artistic evolution. Elle Fanning’s understated performance as Sylvie adds a quiet poignancy, representing a fleeting stability in Dylan’s chaotic world.
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James Mangold’s direction doesn’t shy away from showing Dylan’s flaws, painting a portrait of an artist whose genius was as much a burden as it was a gift. The narrative seamlessly blends personal moments with the broader cultural upheaval of the 1960’s, illustrating how Dylan’s music became both a reflection and a catalyst of change. The film’s pacing allows the audience to sit with these moments, fully absorbing the magnitude of Dylan’s impact.
What truly elevates A Complete Unknown is its focus on the music. Each song feels like a character in its own right, carrying the story forward and deepening our understanding of Dylan. From the haunting rendition of “Song to Woody” to the rebellious energy of “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” the music becomes a window into Dylan’s soul. Chalamet’s live performances are raw and visceral, capturing the essence of Dylan’s artistry.
Ultimately, A Complete Unknown is a testament to the enduring power of music and the indelible mark Dylan left on the world. It’s a film that doesn’t just tell a story; it invites the audience to experience a movement, to feel the seismic shifts in culture and music that Dylan ignited. Chalamet’s performance anchors this journey, making it as unforgettable as Dylan’s music itself. This is not just a film—it’s an experience, a poignant reminder of the transformative power of art.
Rating: ★★★★★
A Complete Unknown opens nationwide December 25, 2024, with advance screenings in New York and Los Angeles starting December 20, 2024.
Reviewed at AMC Lincoln Square, New York, Nov. 25, 2024. MPA rating: R. Running time: 141 MIN.
Production: A Searchlight Pictures release of a Searchlight Pictures, Veritas Entertainment Group, The Picture Company, Range Media Partners production. Producers: Fred Berger, James Mangold, Alex Heineman, Bob Bookman, Peter Jaysen, Alan Gasmer, Jeff Rosen, Timothée Chalamet. Executive producers: Michael Bederman, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Andrew Rona.
Crew: Director: James Mangold. Screenplay: James Mangold, Jay Cocks. Camera: Phedon Papamichael. Editors: Andrew Buckland, Scott Morris. Music: Bob Dylan.
With: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Scoot McNairy.
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