'A Complete Unknown'-The Complex Tale of Bob Dylan

Poster of ‘A Complete Unknown.’ Taken by William Beavers. Copyright ©️ 2024, Searchlight Pictures.

Before watching Timothée Chalamet as iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, I didn’t know much about the man aside from his birth name or his being an icon of the 60s counterculture era. While it seemed like director James Mangold retold the story of 'Walk the Line' with more R-rated language and folk music as opposed to rockabilly and country, ‘A Complete Unknown’ still had some good powerful moments. Not only did it show Bob Dylan wanting to prove he wasn’t some nobody; other famous singers such as Pete Seeger or Joan Baez, played by Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro, were helping people cope with 60's troubles such as JFK’s death or the March on Washington, through the power of heart and music.

Beginning in 1961, ‘A Complete Unknown’ chronicles Dylan’s adulthood from meeting folk legend and his idol, Woody Guthrie, played by Scoot McNairy, at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital to his success in folk music to his complex love triangle with Sylvie Russo, played by Elle Fanning, and Joan Baez, played by Monica Barbaro. Despite the turmoil in the country, Chalamet as Dylan was able to lighten things with a lovely singing voice in classics such as "Song to Woody" or "Times They Are A-Changin'". Dylan’s energetic yet rude manager Albert Grossman, played by Dan Fogler, was right about his beginnings; he did look like “a cross between a choir boy and a beatnik.” Thank you, costume designer Arianne Phillips. Chalamet did well with copying Dylan’s great guitar and harmonica playing, even when his character broke from the folk genre at some point later.

Aside from the good singing, Chalamet’s portrayal reminded me of Joaquin Phoenix’s iteration of Johnny Cash. He had Cash’s love affair trouble and began dressing like the Man in Black and acting erratic. Despite his great harmonies with Baez, Dylan was like the main character in ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, wandering into trouble before he does something about it. But, in a way, that shows people like Dylan are flawed characters instead of larger-than-life celebrities.

Back to the bright side, Fanning’s portrayal of Sylvie Russo was great. What she lacked in singing with Dylan, she made up for with her profound mind about current events and forcing Bob to be real with himself and his music, namely opening up about who he was before his career and where he's going now. If nothing else, at least they had a cute first date watching a Bette Davis movie. 

Though Russo didn’t carry a tune, Barbaro as Joan Baez certainly could with songs such as ‘House of the Rising Sun’ and despite somber tunes or world events, Barbaro sang beautifully. Barbaro's character also makes Dylan focus on his ego. Norton as Pete Seeger was great not only in singing songs like "This Land is Your Land" or "Wimoweh (Mbube)," but was a voice of reason for Dylan in and out of the music business. He was a sweet man even when the critics were bashing him, and he was a man who, despite his celebrity status, lived for the simple things such as family.

‘A Complete Unknown’ may be geared towards fans of Bob Dylan or 20^th-century folk music. I give it a 7.5 out of 10 because it needs a happier ending for Dylan and his acquaintances. It also needs scenes of Dylan’s upbringing. Nevertheless, great job to the cast, crew, and musicians. Watch ‘A Complete Unknown’ and tell me your take at https://cnmtcrvwvers.blogspot.com.