It’s Everyone Around Bob Dylan That Makes A Complete Unknown Worth Watching

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As a film critic with a deep appreciation for music and biopics that dare to break convention, I must say that “A Complete Unknown” is a breath of fresh air. Unlike Todd Haynes or the Coen brothers who opted for fragmented portrayals or shadowy narratives, Mangold dives headfirst into the electric energy that was Bob Dylan’s Greenwich Village era.

How would one create a film about as enigmatic an artist as Bob Dylan? If you’re Todd Haynes, you wouldn’t strive to discover his core at all; instead, you’d fragment his character into various aspects, each portrayed by different actors rather than attempting to embody Dylan in its entirety. The Coen brothers might choose to walk alongside Dylan with a story set within his world yet cast in his shadow, culminating in their underdog musician protagonist stepping outside to face his grim fate while the future star performs on the stage he has just vacated. However, if you’re James Mangold, who is known for his 2005 Johnny Cash biopic that was a major influence on Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and have Timothée Chalamet on board to play the younger Dylan – a role that was sure to earn the actor an Oscar nomination upon announcement – then you’re unlikely to make something radically unconventional.

The unique charm of the movie “A Complete Unknown” lies not only in its ability to be engaging despite its genre conventions, but also in its innovative portrayal of Dylan that mirrors the surprising energy of his amplified Newport performance. Unlike many biopics, this film doesn’t attempt to provide formulaic explanations for Dylan’s character, a common pitfall in this genre. Instead, it delves into the electrifying atmosphere of the Greenwich Village folk scene, where Dylan arrived like an extraterrestrial object. The movie doesn’t focus on Dylan as the main character, but rather portrays him as a powerful force. Its most compelling scenes are less about Dylan himself and more about the experience of being in his presence during a time when it seemed he could reshape the entire universe. This isn’t just about the growing audiences he performed for, culminating in the turbulent crowd at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, which marks the end of the film. (The script, co-written by director Mangold and frequent Scorsese collaborator Jay Cocks, is adapted from Elijah Wald’s 2015 book “Dylan Goes Electric!“) It’s the expressions of those closer to Dylan that drive the film – his collaborators, peers, and lovers as he transitions from promising newcomer to rock icon.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself captivated by none other than Edward Norton’s eloquent visage, especially as he portrays Pete Seeger in the movie “A Complete Unknown.” His countenance expands with a distinctive hairline sweep towards his crown, adding depth to his character.

In the scene where Chalamet sings “Song to Woody,” a mixture of wariness and excitement replaces Norton’s amusement, as he assesses the young talent with great care. The next day, when Seeger finds the boy who had slept on his couch playing what would become “Girl From the North Country,” Norton’s expression swiftly transforms into a complex blend of admiration, envy, and strategy in less than a minute. Similarly, Barbaro shows a similar mix of feelings after Dylan performs, holding Baez back, commenting on her voice as “a little too pretty.” Then, he delivers a powerful performance of “I Was Young When I Left Home,” which Baez listens to with equal parts caution and appreciation. These are the faces of people who sense that the artist they’re observing is about to have a profound impact on their lives. Chalamet, as the center of attention, radiates magnetic charm, singing in his own nasal tone and exuding an unproven confidence under the spotlight that eventually turns into swagger. However, his role is primarily to serve as a backdrop for other characters to express their humanity and vulnerability. He shifts between deflection and aggression as Dylan grows restless and starts feeling confined by the expectations of the folk crowd and the pressures of fame. This isn’t just an impression, but it’s a performance that thrives on everyone around him adding depth and warmth.

Is the movie “A Complete Unknown” an effective portrayal of a Bob Dylan biopic? While I’m not certain if such a film could satisfy die-hard fans, it is an engaging exploration of talent and the experience of being near someone with extraordinary genius, as if they’ve been touched by the divine. Unlike “Walk the Line,” it more closely resembles “Amadeus,” with a group of passionate folk musicians, many of whom possess their own unique talents, seeking to associate themselves with Dylan’s rising fame. Eventually, he sheds them all in frustration.

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2024-12-18 19:53