Showcasing Bob Dylan’s rise to fame, James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown“ is a beautiful recreation of Dylan’s life at the beginning of his career. The film explores a young singer blending his artistic breakthroughs with his personal struggles and public persona in New York City, trailing all across America.
Timothée Chalamet delivers a committed performance as Bob Dylan, embodying the folk legend’s characteristic sharp wit. His portrayal is nuanced, particularly in capturing Dylan’s charm and swagger. Chalamet also sang all of Dylan’s music that was used in the film, adding a more original feel to the movie. His recreations truly invoke Dylan’s style and emotion through each song.
In addition, Monica Barbaro, playing Joan Baez, is another highlight of the cast. Barbaro’s chemistry with Chalamet adds to the authentic portrayal of Baez and Dylan’s complicated relationship. Her own musical performances are filled with feeling, adding emotional depth to the story.
Now, moving on to the events shown in the movie, we can see that the film dramatizes and focuses on key events, such as Dylan’s polarizing performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. While the scenes capture the atmosphere of the time, they take liberties with the timeline and details. For instance, certain conversations and confrontations are invented or exaggerated for dramatic effect, which serves the film’s narrative arc.
The film’s depiction of New York in the ’60s was well thought out, each scene matching the overall aesthetic of the film. In addition, the historical context of the movie was taken in to account as well, as it took place during a pivotal time for the United States, with the death of John F. Kennedy, American involvement in the Vietnam War, and the space race with Russia, it was specifically interesting as they included bits of references to each of these pieces of history and how they connected to Dylan’s story.
The cinematography of this film was absolutely exquisite. Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael employs a muted, grainy palette that evokes the look of 1960s film photography, truly immersing viewers in the period.
Although it is criticized for its over use of music throughout the movie, it was a great addition to the film. Listening to Dylan’s soundtracks sung by Chalamet throughout the movie was fun, I may just be saying this because I love musicals, but I truly believe it added depth to the film rather than take away from it.
“A Complete Unknown” is an engrossing tribute to Bob Dylan, brought together by strong performances and stunning visuals. Though it takes creative liberties with historical accuracy, it successfully conveys the spirit of Dylan’s artistry and the cultural upheaval of the 1960s. Fans of Dylan and newcomers alike will find much to admire.
“A Complete Unknown” is now playing in theaters. Note that the movie is rated R for language.
