As a film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that watching “A Complete Unknown” was nothing short of a breathtaking journey. The film transports you to the heart of the 60s Greenwich Village, where the music scene was alive and pulsating, much like my own youth in the vibrant streets of Paris.
You don’t need to be a Bob Dylan aficionado to appreciate Timothée Chalamet’s transformation into the iconic folk singer. Even if your knowledge of Dylan’s career is limited to a few famous tracks or a vague recollection of his controversial shift to electric guitar, Chalamet’s performance in “A Complete Unknown” is undeniably a career best. He’s emerging as a leading contender for his first Academy Award — a compelling performance that may prove difficult for voters to ignore.
On Wednesday night in Los Angeles, Searchlight Pictures hosted two packed screenings of “A Complete Unknown” at the Fox Lot, followed by Q&A sessions featuring director and co-writer James Mangold, actors Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning, costume designer Arianne Phillips, and production designer François Audouy. Chalamet, currently filming Josh Safdie’s new period project “Marty Supreme,” was notably absent, but his presence wasn’t needed to dominate the conversation. His portrayal of Dylan has already sparked widespread acclaim, positioning him as one of the frontrunners in the best actor race.
Titled “A Complete Unknown,” directed by Mangold with Jay Cocks, this movie is adapted from Elijah Wald’s 2015 book “Dylan Goes Electric!”. It focuses on a significant four-year period in Bob Dylan’s life, spanning from 1961 to 1965. The narrative reaches its climax with Dylan’s contentious choice to perform electric music at the Newport Folk Festival, a decision that revolutionized American music and solidified his status as a generational icon.
The ensemble cast features Edward Norton as folk icon Pete Seeger, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, P.J. Byrne as Harold Leventhal, Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie, Dan Fogler as Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman, and Will Harrison as Bob Neuwirth. Barbaro plays Joan Baez, while Fanning portrays Sylvia, a fictionalized version of Dylan’s first love, Suze Rotolo.
In “The Tragedy of Dreamer’s Lane,” Timothée Chalamet sings all his own songs, a daring move in any musical biopic, especially when embodying an artist with such a unique and recognizable voice like Bob Dylan’s. However, similar to Diana Ross portraying Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972), Sissy Spacek playing Loretta Lynn in “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980), and Renée Zellweger taking on Judy Garland in “Judy” (2019), Chalamet delivers a remarkable performance. He doesn’t strive for a perfect imitation of Dylan but instead captures the spirit and intensity of his vocal style, resulting in an authentic portrayal rather than an imitative one. This powerful performance might prove irresistible to Academy voters.
Timothee Chalamet, who made history as the third-youngest best actor nominee for “Call Me by Your Name” (2017) at only 22, could make history again this year. Should he win, he would become the youngest winner in that category, breaking Adrien Brody’s record, who won at 29 for “The Pianist.” Chalamet is 279 days younger than Brody was when he received his award. In December, Chalamet will be turning 29 years old.
Nevertheless, Chalamet finds himself up against experienced performers in the race for the Oscar. Interestingly enough, Brody is also being discussed this year for his portrayal of a Holocaust survivor who migrates to America in Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist.” Other notable contenders include Ralph Fiennes, whose role as a priest guiding a new pope in “Conclave” is garnering acclaim, and Colman Domingo, fresh from his critically-acclaimed performance in “Rustin” and the success of “Sing Sing,” where he played a prisoner involved in a theater group. Historically, Oscar voters have been reluctant to recognize young talents quickly, as demonstrated by Leonardo DiCaprio’s prolonged journey to his first win despite five nominations. Could this year be an exception?
Despite some challenges, Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan seems capable of surmounting these obstacles. So far, Dylan scholars have been quite impressed, as shared with EbMaster. “Does he perfectly capture the voice?” KG Miles, author of “Bob Dylan in the Big Apple” and other works, questions. “Perhaps not,” Miles adds, “but he captures the passion and the soul. It’s not just a karaoke performance—it feels authentic.
The storyline of the movie delves deeply into Dylan’s romantic relationships as well as his music. In this film, Chalamet portrays Dylan alongside Barbaro as Joan Baez and Fanning as a fictionalized depiction of Dylan’s first love, Suze Rotolo. Notably, Barbaro, recognized for her role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” delivers an exceptional performance as Baez, embodying her captivating charm and singing several songs from her repertoire that leave you smitten. She is a strong candidate in the competitive category of supporting actresses. Concurrently, Fanning takes on a more challenging role: unlike Barbaro, she doesn’t have a famous figure to mimic or songs to sing. Nevertheless, her portrayal of Sylvia is deeply moving and profound, culminating in a climactic scene that also positions her as a potential contender. Will they both secure recognition?
Barbaro and Fanning contribute significantly to the emotional depth of “A Complete Unknown”, making Dylan’s larger-than-life persona feel more relatable through personal, human interactions. The chemistry between Chalamet and both actresses is noticeable, creating a magnetic pull that invites viewers into the complex romantic entanglements that make for the film’s most captivating scenes.
Members of the artisan branch are sure to be talking about the quality of this movie’s production. Costume designer Arianne Phillips and production designer François Audouy have done an exceptional job of recreating the 1960s, creating a visual style that truly represents the era. The transformation of Norton into Seeger, though not likely to earn him a nomination for best supporting actor, showcases the film’s impressive dedication to detail in makeup and hairstyling.
In his illustrious career, Mangold, who has previously directed critically acclaimed films such as “Walk the Line” (2005), “Logan” (2017), and “Ford v Ferrari” (2019), presents a captivating portrayal of Dylan’s journey. Consistently undervalued in the directorial sphere, Mangold continues to impress with his skillful storytelling. Despite a fast-paced production schedule, wrapping up filming in June 2024, “A Complete Unknown” showcases exceptional artistry, although some viewers find its lengthy 140-minute runtime a bit cumbersome. Whether this affects its potential impact during awards season remains to be determined.
Speaking of it, Mangold’s talent for creating movies that are both commercially attractive and artistically challenging might just earn “A Complete Unknown” a prestigious Best Picture nomination. His past works such as “Ford v Ferrari” demonstrate his skill in striking a balance between artistic value and broad appeal – a trait that voters in the expanded Best Picture category might find appealing.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that “A Complete Unknown” is set to grace our theaters on December 25th, right in time for the buzzing Oscar season! This captivating production is brought to us by the talented hands of Fred Berger, Alex Heineman, Peter Jaysen, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, Jeff Rosen, Timothée Chalamet, and Mangold. In the coming months, this film is poised to make a significant impact. The compelling performance by Chalamet, the richly designed visuals, and its deeply resonant story about a cultural icon at a critical juncture, promise to make “A Complete Unknown” one of the most discussed films of the year. I can’t wait to see it!
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2024-11-22 22:47