This past weekend we finally had the chance to watch A Complete Unknown. It was TRULY AMAZING! You can see some additional thoughts about this movie towards the bottom of this post.
Directed by Academy Award nominee James Mangold, A Complete Unknown offers an intimate portrayal of Bob Dylan’s transformative years in the early 1960s. Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet delivers a captivating performance as Dylan, capturing his evolution from a burgeoning folk artist to a cultural icon. The film delves into Dylan’s relationships with contemporaries like Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), and Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), whose influence shaped his early sound and whose reaction to Dylan’s electric set at Newport became the stuff of legend.
Film Synopsis
New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota 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. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history. The film also stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie.
Bonus Feature*
- The Making of A Complete Unknown
- The Story
- Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
- The Supporting Cast
- The Design
- Audio Commentary by James Mangold
*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer
My Thoughts:
This is a biological film about Bob Dylan and at first I had my doubts how anyone can play the incomparable Bob Dylan. However, I was certainly wrong as Timothée Chalamet was totally superb in this lead role. It brings you back to a time with love, music, family, and an amazing story of this legend that is Bob Dylan. Besides him, Edward Norton was wonderful as Peter Seeger. Bob Dylan life is portrayed with raw emotions and complexity in the story. It truly makes you think, dance, sing, and relish in this musical genius. The run time of this film is a little over 2 hours but I did not want this movie to end. I highly recommend this movie to all. I give A Complete Unknown 4.5/5 stars!