I’m going to preface this review by saying I have a huge blindspot about Bob Dylan. I probably shouldn’t feel too bad as Timothée Chalamet himself didn’t know much about the world-famous singer/songwriter when he got offered the part. The fact that I live in Minnesota, it’s hard to escape the Dylan effect. Just like Prince, there are a plethora of Bob Dylan landmarks you can visit in the state, and my favorite is the 5-story mural that’s now an iconic part of downtown Minneapolis.
I came into this biopic with fresh eyes, full of curiosity as to why the now 83-year-old Dylan has become a cultural icon. Thankfully we’ve got a formidable filmmaker James Mangold, who did an excellent biopic on Johnny Cash in Walk The Line (2005). As Joaquin Phoenix did, Chalamet did his own singing in this musical biopic. Mangold specifically made Dylan’s music the star of the film, more so than his life. There’s not much of a backstory and the film made a reference as to why. When one of his girlfriends laments that Dylan doesn’t talk about his family nor his past, he quips, “People make up their past Sylvie, they remember what they want, they forget the rest.”
We first see Dylan as a completely unknown 19-year-old Robert Zimmerman, arriving in New York’s Greenwich Village fresh out of Minnesota with a guitar in tow. One of the first people he encounters is Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), already an established folk musician. He takes him under his wing so to speak, and brings him to see his idol, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy, delivering a wordless but heartbreaking performance) at a psychiatric hospital. Suffering from a degenerative neurological disorder, he could barely talk, but he clearly meant a lot to Dylan.
As a newbie to the world of Bob Dylan, his timeless songs like Blowin’ in the Wind (1963) and The Times They Are A-Changin’ (1964) feel fresh and new to me. He’s got a real talent for words, combining a sharp political awareness with a knack for storytelling and a poetic flair for rhythm. It’s no wonder that he ended up becoming the only singer/songwriter to win the Nobel Prize in Literature decades later, though he didn’t bother to show up at the ceremony. Even back in his early days, Dylan has never really been at ease with the spotlight that fame brings.
The script by Jay Cocks, which is largely based on Elijah Wald’s book Dylan Goes Electric!, introduces us to the women who are instrumental in his initial career. There’s Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), based on his real-life girlfriend, Suze Rotolo who appears in his 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. We get a glimpse of Russo’s left-wing activism, which played a big role in Dylan’s political awakening and ultimately shaped both his views and his music.
There’s a bit of a love triangle going on as Dylan starts a relationship with Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) after meeting at the Folk City club. Their chemistry is quite electric, perhaps you could say Baez was Dylan’s sexual awakening. Barbaro is so magnetic that at times she upstages Chalamet; I can’t take my eyes off her every time the two of them are on stage.
The film is clearly made by people who revere and admire Dylan deeply, but it also doesn’t shy away from showing Dylan’s less charming traits. He can come off as rude and dismissive to his women, even Joan tells him outright ‘You’re kind of an asshole, Bob,’ and he just shrugs her off, ‘Yeah I guess.’ His elusive nature and devil-may-care approach to life may seem cool, but it can be exasperating in equal measure. He’s a man who refuses to be pinned down, and that rebellious, anti-establishment spirit is the appeal to Bob Dylan.
The best part of the film is when the focus is on the music. There’s a reason it’s billed as a musical biopic as there are 40 songs that are performed here, most of them live. All the performances are well-staged, and the live recording makes the music sound authentic, unlike the polished sound you’d get from a studio recording. The 1965 Newport Folk Festival scene is a pivotal one and easily the highlight of the movie. Even for someone who didn’t know much about the Electric Dylan controversy, the build-up to that shocking Sunday-night concert was amusing to see, culminating in his band performing Maggie’s Farm with electric instruments. Chaos ensued as half the people booed and the other half cheered, excited to hear a new side of Dylan.
Chalamet has said in interviews that as the film kept getting pushed back from 2020 due to Covid and then the Actors’ strike, it gave him time to learn not just to sing like Dylan but also learn the guitar and harmonica. He’s pointed out that this role has taken him to new limits in his career, and it shows. Chalamet captures Dylan’s vibe, from that cold stare to his somewhat nasal, raspy voice.
I’m also impressed by Norton’s portrayal of Seeger. He’s mild-mannered and kind, but with a tinge of resentment as Dylan’s fame quickly escapes his. He’s one of the musicians who insisted on keeping Dylan in the folk music lane. Boyd Holbrook oozes cool charisma as Johnny Cash who became Dylan’s pen-pals before meeting in person at Newport, while Dan Fogler as Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman provides some comic relief. As I mentioned before, Barbaro comes away as the scene stealer here and her clear soprano voice is just heavenly. A movie about Dylan and Baez’s complex relationship would be an interesting one.
The best compliment I can give to a movie is that despite the long running time, it’s never boring. That is the case with A Complete Unknown. It was immersive and engrossing, with evocative cinematography by Phedon Papamichael. This biopic is not meant to be a comprehensive Dylan biopic, Mangold is aware that he’s sharing just a slice of the story from 1961-1965. Dylan went on many more adventures after this period, but this starting point is definitely worth highlighting. It makes me want to dive deeper into Dylan’s music, which I think is an indicator of a compelling biopic.
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Bob Dylan is an original. I love his music. The Basement Tapes that he did with the Band is my favorite record of his followed by Blonde on Blonde. I am going to see this eventually but there’s already a great movie about Bob Dylan. I’m Not There by Todd Haynes starring Marcus Carl Franklin, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, Cate Blanchett, and Richard Gere as various versions of Bob Dylan.
Oh you’re a Dylan fan, then you MUST see this one. Y’know, I tried seeing I’m Not There before this A Complete Unknown, but I think it’s better to see that after. I don’t think it’s a good intro to Dylan for people who aren’t familiar with him. But yeah, the appeal of Haynes’ film is definitely the cast!
I’ve also seen a few docs related to Dylan as I’m still unsure about it. Plus, I’m Not There is a film that can’t be beaten. It is the most definitive film about Dylan.
review effectively balances personal perspective with critical analysis. Highlighting Timothée Chalamet’s dedicated performance, Monica Barbaro’s magnetic presence, and James Mangold’s focus on Dylan’s music makes your praise feel earned. Your reflections on Dylan’s complex personality and the authenticity of the live music performances, particularly the Newport Folk Festival scene, are strong points.
The connection to your own unfamiliarity with Dylan makes the review relatable, but tightening some sections and expanding briefly on the “Electric Dylan” controversy would make it sharper. Overall, it’s compelling and successfully conveys the film’s ability to inspire deeper interest in Dylan’s music and legacy. Rating 6/10
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I’m not the biggest fan of Bob Dylan, I had friends back in high school who were big fans and I had to listen to his music when I rode in their cars. Lol! Some of his songs were good but not the type of music I would listen to regularly. This movie looks interesting, I might give it a watch since I do like both Chalamet and Barbaro.
Hey Ted, then you’re in a similar camp as me. I wasn’t really into his music either, though I enjoyed the ones played during the film. Mangold is a great director and he’s able to keep my interest. If you like Chalamet and Barbaro, I think you’ll have a good time w/ this one.
I loved the film and Timothy was perfect as was Barbaro. Here is my big issue as I grew up with Bob Dylan, who totally influence my life as a teenager Bob Dylan’s writings were a reflection of the society, which was exploding with the Vietnam war and major changes to the youth. The film did not show the connection between what was happening in society and his songs. They also didn’t give any background to why would he? Guthrie was so important to Bob Dylan. I feel there was a disconnect between, the society And his words/songs. There was a deep motivation for his writings, but it was not shown in the film.
I really enjoyed the music and was riveted by the acting and the music
First, I have not seen this movie, but I will!
Second, I’m a huge Dylan fan, and know most of the words to many of his songs.
On that basis I am sure to be harshly critical. On that basis maybe I won’t like the movie. After all, ” Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing!“
(Bobby Cannavale gave me Dylan’s autobiography, a thank you gift)
Third, Jimi Hendrix is my fave guitar player. He was a massive Dylan fan, and covered some of Dylans songs. As a matter of fact All Along the Watchtower is better when Hendrix covered it. Hendrix’s lyrics were often inspired by Dylan’s poetic lyrics.
Dylan’s poetry is what did it. He’s not the greatest singer, but one of the greatest poets singing his poems to music. Leonard Cohen would be the other.
How does this compare, to you, if it’s covered in the movie? One of my faves from the period the movie traverses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcWaHBOFkUw
Hello darling Resa!! I’ve been sick for a week now, right now the cough is the worst. I’ve lost my voice and basically had to be homebound and missing screenings (i.e. Mufasa, which I’d been curious about) 😦
As a huge Bob Dylan fan, I’m really curious to hear your thoughts on this if you decide to see it. Apparently Bob Dylan himself was involved in the project initially, and he praised Chalamet on Twitter, calling him a ‘brilliant actor.’
Oooh cool that Bobby Cannavale gave you Dylan’s autobiography! Wow, I didn’t know that about Jimi Hendrix. It’s so true what you said, Dylan isn’t the greatest singer (I have to admit I’m not a fan of his voice, ahah) but he’s got an amazing gift for poetic lyrics. As for ‘It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue’ song, yes, Chalamet performs an acoustic version of the song at Newport. It’s so fascinating that people were so angry that he played an electric instrument there!
Gee, a cough can be a sticky thing to get rid of. Hopefully it’s less every day! Best to be homebound. Get Well Soon!!!!
Well, it is a positive note that Dylan was initially involved and that he praised Chalamet. Still, it’s his hard core long standing fans that will decide if what Dylan says is on the money, or the hubris of a star’s faded youth speaking.
I will let you know what I think!
The guitar thing… it is odd. Yes, change is difficult for many, and there are changes that are hard for me to like.
Thing is, Dylan sang about changing times.
IE: “And the times’ they are a changing'”. So, it feels almost hypocritical of his fans.
Acoustic, electric, I like it all!
My cough is the absolute worst!! Could barely sleep a wink last night; it’s 3 sleepless nights in a row, which isn’t great.
Yeah I’m not sure if Dylan has even seen the movie when he praised Chalamet, ahah. I think the film director James Mangold is a huge fan of Dylan and he grew up in the 60s. In any case, I’m very curious to hear your thoughts!
I find the whole Newport Folk Fest amusing, I find myself reading more about it afterwards. Yeah I’d think the fans would be more welcoming of him trying new things [shrug] 😀
GET WELL!!!!!
x🤧🤒o
Thanks Resa!! I had to go to Urgent Care on Friday and turns out I have bronchitis, ugh! Well they gave me an antibiotic so I’m slowly getting better. I’m at airport now to Jacksonville Florida to spend time with my in-laws. HAPPY HOLIDAYS (or MERRY CHRISTMAS if you celebrate)… I shall try to visit your ArtGowns blog on the 27th!! 😉 Love ya!
OH BOY!
That’s no fun. I had bronchitis once …yes…killer cough! The antibiotics should help, but you still have to take care!
Okay, my dear, have a blast in Jacksonville!
UCH…our furnace broke down last night!
Love ya, too! 💖🌟🕊🤍🎄
I Think Monica Barbaro would be great choice as Huntress/Helena Bertinelli In James Gunn Reboot DCEU
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