To say the new Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown,” was an outstanding movie would be an understatement. It is a must-see in theaters and is one of the most captivating films we have seen in ages.
Based on the 2015 book, “Dylan Goes Electric!” James Mangold, along with Jay Cocks, wrote and directed the film. Perfectly capturing the essence of Dylan’s mind while living in the mid-1960’s, the biopic showed viewers how impactful he was.
After watching the movie, it honestly felt like our lives had changed. The movie balanced perfect cinematography with Dylan’s shift from folk to rock music. It leaves the audience with a deeper understanding of his career and journey as an emerging artist. The film embraces the freedom to evolve from what you are used to and allows personal growth without fear of judgment.
Instead of a traditional ‘from the cradle to the grave’ take on biopic filmography, Mangold started the film at the start of Dylan’s career. The film began when he came to New York to visit Woody Guthrie in the hospital and finished when Dylan changed folk forever at the Newport Folk Music Festival by introducing rock music and forever shaping the folk industry with his rebellious choices.
In 1965, Dylan began experimenting with electric instruments, causing a great deal of controversy in the folk community. This moment, when he performed at the festival using electric instruments, launched his career and made his mark.
Elle Fanning is charming and moving as Dylan’s girlfriend Sylvie Russo — a name chosen instead of Suze Rotolo, as Dylan requested her real name not be put in the movie. Her performance as Sylvie showed viewers how draining and heartbreaking the life of an emerging artist’s partner can be.
Although Dylan was in a current relationship with Russo, he had a long-lived infatuation and affair with Joan Baez. In the film, Monica Barbaro’s depiction of Baez has a powerful presence that embodies resilience and shows a blend of strength and vulnerability. Her iconic voice and unquestionable chemistry with Dylan encapsulate the intense emotions of the film.
All in all, the biopic created an emotional journey and invited the audience to experience the true depth of the 1960’s. Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan captured him with a rawness and authenticity that became a true window into Bob Dylan’s life.
The film’s cinematography is nothing but mesmerizing. We felt transported into the 1960s, as the screen gave the audience a view into New York City by showing detailed out-of-focus shots of Dylan’s internal world. As Dylan struggles with his identity throughout the movie, the camera distorts the frame, representing his sense of dissociation.
The film did an exceptional job of marking Dylan’s cognizance and his ability to see himself as trapped in the ‘bright lights’ of fame. Chalamet embodied him flawlessly by portraying him as someone aware of his talent and fame, but still unsure of how to live with all of it.
Although we were not die-hard Bob Dylan fans before watching the film, the movie completely surpassed our expectations, and let’s just say, “Like a Rolling Stone” is now on repeat.
