Bob Dylan Biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ Entertains, But Not Much More

Bob Dylan Biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ Entertains, But Not Much More
Image: Source: 20th Century Studios

Before I launch fully into my review of A Complete Unknown, a totally acceptable biopic about Bob Dylan starring a fantastic Timothée Chalamet, let me briefly tell you about my experience with the iconic artist. 

I must regrettably admit that I have been a fool – days before I saw A Complete Unknown, I listened to and heavily enjoyed both The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and Highway 61 Revisited for the first time (the two albums you should absolutely listen to before the movie, by the way). 

My relationship with Dylan’s music and artistry is pretty recent; I admit I don’t know much about his overall history. Maybe that’s why I found it a little bit odd that, despite enjoying it overall, A Complete Unknown does very little to actually elucidate the life story of the iconic folk singer-turned-rocker to those unfamiliar, and likely doesn’t give much new for diehard Dylan-heads to chew on. 

A Complete Unknown takes place during the early era of Dylan’s career, following him as he becomes dissatisfied with his status as a quite literal folk hero, turning to the electric guitar in a move that would change history. Meanwhile, he struggles with fame and the women in his life, primarily artist Sylvie Russio (Elle Fanning) and fellow folk singer Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro).

Bob Dylan A Complete Unknown
Elle Fanning and Timothée Chalamet as Sylvie Russo and Bob Dylan. Source: 20th Century Studios

Who is A Complete Unknown for?

Director James Mangold thankfully avoids the crib-to-coffin approach that’s dominated the music biopic genre since the turn of the century – even if it can’t avoid the odd eye-rolling sequence of people realising Dylan’s musical prowess. Yet, it’s still a bit difficult to wholeheartedly recommend Mangold’s approach nonetheless. 

It’s highly apparent that Mangold worships Bob Dylan and his music, meaning A Complete Unknown feels more mythic than genuinely historical. Rather than trying to tell the full story of Dylan, the film is essentially a patchwork of key moments in his life that lack a strong narrative or character hook.

It makes me wonder who A Complete Unknown is for. For superfans, I can’t imagine that you’d learn anything new from the film or think about the history in a new way; for Dylan novices or non-fans, it doesn’t really paint a substantial portrait of the man. 

It only tells you what you already know through cultural osmosis; that Bob Dylan was an important folk artist who ruffled feathers and changed music when he went electric. I can’t even imagine how I’d feel about A Complete Unknown if I hadn’t listened to those two albums last minute before the film. 

Bob Dylan A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown is much more interested in the myth of Bob Dylan than the man. Source: 20th Century Studios

Timothée Chalamet is a lively, entertaining Bob Dylan

Despite its profound flaws in getting you invested as a story-focused or historical text, I still thought that A Complete Unknown was enjoyable overall. The main reason for this is Timothée Chalamet’s wonderful performance; the highly-talented Dune alumni smartly eschews a direct impression of Dylan in place of a more representative performance, made all the more impressive by the fact that he plays and sings ever Dylan song in the film himself.

This performance was my anchor for the whole film; Chalamet’s understated charisma as Dylan makes you honestly see what people saw in the singer, despite how horrible he is to the people around him. Whenever I floundered trying to latch onto a really tangible narrative or theme, Chalamet threw me a life raft with this delightful turn.

The rest of A Complete Unknown’s cast also really elevated the film; the aforementioned Fanning and Barbaro each make the most of their fairly menial roles in the script, while other actors like Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash appear intermittently to inject the film with a shot of adrenaline in the arm. Edward Norton also plays Pete Seeger in the film – though functional, it’s hardly Norton’s career-defining performance. 

Bob Dylan
Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in the film’s climax: the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Source: Searchlight Pictures

A Complete Unknown is just fine, really

There’s not that much in the filmmaking be impressed by in A Complete Unknown either, besides its wonderful depiction of 1960s New York. I suppose it’s shot and edited well enough, and despite a great final scene I did feel its 2hr20min runtime often drag (especially compared to The Brutalist‘s breezy 3hr30min).

Besides the performances, all the thoughts I have on A Complete Unknown are pretty neutral – the film is a functional, acceptable biopic. Your mileage is sure to vary; if you expect a fully fleshed-out portrait of the highly influential Bob Dylan, there’s no doubt you’ll be disappointed. If you think of it as a greatest hits video album starring the ever-reliable Timothée Chalamet, then I imagine you’ll find some enjoyment in it as I did, while undoubtedly wishing for something more.

★★★

A Complete Unknown is in Australian cinemas on January 23rd. 

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