What Made “A Complete Unknown” So Great
A Complete Unknown isn’t your run-of-the-mill biopic — it’s an immersive journey into the genesis of musical legend, Bob Dylan, and a really, really good film in my opinion.
The story takes us back to the early 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene, quite the melting pot of creativity and social change at the time, which served as the fertile backdrop for Dylan’s meteoric rise (quite literally from a complete unknown).
Director James Mangold skips the conventional biopic timeline route. Instead of focusing on Dylan’s entire life, he centers this story on the pivotal years that shaped Dylan’s artistic identity and truly cemented his place in music history.
Sure, it won’t give you the full picture of Bob’s legacy, but that’s not the point, nor the beauty, of this picture. Mangold’s concentrated approach allows for a much deeper exploration of the forces and personalities that influenced young Dylan, delivering a more vivid, breathing snapshot of this crucial phase to the artist’s life.
Of the incredible eight Oscar nominations it received, the one I think it really was robbed from winning was for Best Actor. Timothée Chalamet’s performance was nothing short of transformative. He doesn’t just impersonate Dylan, he embodies him, it’s an incredible feat.
Dylan’s enigmatic aura, his restless energy, and the budding genius that defined the young artist are all subtly on display in Chalamet’s epic portrayal.
Chalamet’s dedication to the role is evident in every scene, from his meticulous recreation of Dylan’s mannerisms and speech patterns to his surprisingly, alright, let’s say shockingly, adept musical performances. Apparently he spent years learning to play the guitar and to sing like Dylan, which adds a whole extra layer of authenticity to the entire movie.
I personally think Timothée should have won the Academy Award, but all of us movie lovers are well-versed in Oscar disappointments at this point, so I’ll let that be.
A Complete Unknown’s supporting cast also offers up some compelling performances, including the near legendary at this point Edward Norton, who delivers a quietly powerful portrayal of Pete Seeger, the established folk icon who initially champions Dylan but later grows disillusioned with his protégé’s artistic evolution.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its masterful integration of music. A Complete Unknown doesn’t just feature Dylan’s iconic songs; it weaves them into the narrative fabric, allowing the music to tell its own story.
Several scenes actually feature full song performances, skipping the typical biopic approach of only using snippets as background filler for scenes or montages. I think that creative decision really helps the audience ride along in the evolution of Dylan’s songwriting and performance style, understanding how his music became the voice of a generation.
The film is also quite the triumph visually as well. Its meticulous re-creation of 1960s New York City, coupled with stellar cinematography from Phedon Papamichael, provide some true immersion into the time and setting.
From the smoky coffee houses to the bustling streets to the intimate recording studios of the era… not to mention the period-accurate costumes and hairstyles and even the grainy texture of the film itself, you feel like you’re back in 1960’s NYC.
One last thing — I will say that the film doesn’t shy away from highlighting the controversies that surrounded Dylan’s early career. It also doesn’t sanitize Dylan’s actions or shy away from portraying his less flattering aspects, including his sometimes abrasive personality and complex relationships. This unflinching portrayal adds a special depth and credibility to the movie.
A Complete Unknown isn’t just a biography — it’s a vibrant and compelling work of art in its own right. Click here to watch the trailer.
