Bob Dylan is one of the most enigmatic figures in all of popular culture. As one of the most prolific songwriters of all time, Dylan’s contributions extend beyond the genres of folk, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll, standing as an insurmountable monolith within the medium of music itself—a legacy that mere words struggle to encapsulate. He emerged as an influential and innovative voice during a pivotal moment in American cultural history and has remained a steadfast figure, offering rhapsodic, visceral examinations of the American condition through song.
Given Dylan’s vast and enigmatic legacy, creating a film about his life and times is no small feat. This daunting challenge is at the heart of James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, a film that wrestles with the illustrious mystery surrounding Dylan throughout its runtime. However, this is far from the first cinematic attempt to explore the complexities of Bob Dylan, as many have grappled with the mystique of this legendary artist.
From D.A. Pennebaker’s captivating early documentary Don’t Look Back to Martin Scorsese’s pair of masterful archival-driven works, No Direction Home and Rolling Thunder Revue, and Todd Haynes’ imaginative and multi-layered I’m Not There, Bob Dylan has been a frequent muse for cinematic exploration. These films not only delve into Dylan’s storied career but also reflect his penchant for mythmaking and storytelling that blurs the line between fact and fiction.
Dylan’s love for constructing “bold-faced lies” to uncover deeper truths is a cornerstone of his artistic identity. The finest Dylan-centric films have embraced this ethos, engaging with his complex, enigmatic personality on his own terms. Scorsese, for instance, introduced fictional characters into archival footage in Rolling Thunder Revue, playfully distorting historical facts to reveal a greater narrative truth. Similarly, Haynes employed six different actors to portray facets of Dylan in I’m Not There, mirroring the artist’s constant reinvention and multifaceted identity. These creative approaches resonate with Dylan’s idiosyncratic worldview, successfully capturing the essence of a man who thrives on mystery and contradiction.
I approached A Complete Unknown with significant reservations. James Mangold is a talented director known for his adept storytelling and character-driven narratives. However, his previous musical biopic, Walk the Line, epitomized the clichés, structures, and predictable formulas that have often plagued the genre, so much so that it inspired the parody Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, which deconstructed these tropes with precision and humor. Given this, the fear that Mangold’s take on Bob Dylan might conform to these well-worn patterns seemed justified.
Yet, to my delight, A Complete Unknown defies such expectations. Mangold’s film approaches the enigmatic life of Bob Dylan not as an exercise in formulaic storytelling but as a unique exploration that respects the complexities of its subject. The film navigates the challenge of portraying a figure as elusive and multifaceted as Dylan with a sense of creative ambition, offering viewers something fresh in the realm of musical biopics.
A Complete Unknown stands out for its refreshing break from the typical musical biopic formula. Unlike many films in the genre, it avoids the cliché flashback structure that has been parodied in movies like Walk Hard, where the protagonist reflects on their life before a major performance. It also steers clear of the overused second-act sequences filled with psychedelic imagery meant to showcase the toll of drug addiction. Instead, the film adopts an approach reminiscent of Love & Mercy, focusing narrowly on a specific, impactful period in Bob Dylan’s career. This allows the story to maintain a clear, concentrated narrative that offers a unique, emotionally resonant glimpse into Dylan’s journey, rather than attempting to summarize his entire life or career.
The film shines brightest when it zeroes in on Bob Dylan’s journey to stardom, highlighting his initial fame, the discomfort that came with being typecast, and his bold move to transcend those constraints with an electric, rebellious energy. A standout element is the nuanced relationship between Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan and Edward Norton’s Pete Seeger, showcasing the dynamic of the student surpassing his mentor and diverging in values and beliefs. This powerful narrative hook is bolstered by the strong performances from Chalamet and Norton, complemented by noteworthy supporting roles from Monica Barbaro and Boyd Holbrook. The direction by James Mangold and François Audouy’s meticulous production design add further depth and authenticity, solidifying the film’s impact.
While A Complete Unknown successfully maintains its focus on Dylan’s pivotal early years and the personal story of his rise, the second half of the film struggles to balance this narrative with the broader moments from Dylan’s career that have become iconic. The first act benefits from a sharp, clear focus, highlighted by Mangold and Jay Cocks’ skillful integration of historical events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, which provides an emotional catalyst for Dylan and Joan Baez’s relationship. This sequence and others like it underscore the film’s strength in connecting real history with Dylan’s personal evolution.
However, as the film moves into the turbulent 1965 period, it starts to lose its narrative focus in an effort to encapsulate the full whirlwind of Dylan’s fame. The ambitious attempt to cover more of his career diminishes the emotional resonance of key moments, particularly in the strained dynamics of Dylan and Seeger’s relationship, which feels neglected. This shift leaves the latter half of the film feeling overstuffed and underdeveloped, weakening the impactful story that was so compelling in the first act.
In addition to its compelling storytelling, A Complete Unknown excels in authentically capturing Bob Dylan’s music, which is an essential aspect of a film about his life. Both Timothée Chalamet as Dylan and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez deliver earnest and effective musical performances. Their portrayal feels genuine and avoids turning into mere impersonations, a notable achievement given the distinctive and well-known nature of these musicians’ styles.
This commitment to authenticity extends beyond their musical performances into their acting. Chalamet, in particular, stands out, giving a nuanced portrayal of Dylan that resonates with the essence of the artist while allowing for creative interpretation. The film’s approach to this iconic character, guided by Mangold, manages to blend the actor’s emotional depth with the mystique of Dylan’s persona. Barbaro, alongside Edward Norton, who convincingly embodies Pete Seeger, and Boyd Holbrook, who channels Johnny Cash with impressive subtlety, all contribute strong supporting performances. Holbrook’s portrayal is so convincing that it’s only in the latter half that viewers recognize him.
In sum, the film’s attention to both the music and character performances effectively highlights the tumultuous yet transformative period in Dylan’s early career, making it a noteworthy addition to the cinematic exploration of musical legends.
In many ways, Timothée Chalamet’s performance and the film’s approach to portraying Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown echo John Carpenter’s 1979 film Elvis, which starred Kurt Russell. Both films prioritize the personal narratives of their respective subjects over their most iconic moments or career highlights. In Elvis, Carpenter deliberately chose to focus on the man behind the myth, portraying Elvis Presley as a complex figure rather than simply a cultural icon. This choice allowed Russell to present a portrayal that transitioned from restraint to the full, charismatic persona of Elvis, depicting the evolution of his public image as a realization rather than a starting point.
Chalamet’s Dylan similarly avoids solely glorifying the musician’s legendary status. Instead, the film dives into Dylan’s early, transformative years, illustrating the artist’s internal struggles and decisions. This approach adds depth to the character, capturing not just the myth but the emotional core of the man beneath the persona. Both A Complete Unknown and Elvis use this narrative strategy to make the protagonist’s journey feel authentic and emotionally resonant, emphasizing the human elements that define their legacies. The choice to show the gradual development into an iconic figure rather than starting from that place lends credibility and poignancy to the performances and storytelling.
A Complete Unknown employs a technique that skillfully mirrors the arc of its protagonist, Bob Dylan, through Timothée Chalamet’s nuanced portrayal. At the beginning of the film, Chalamet’s Dylan feels raw and incomplete, showcasing only glimpses of the iconic traits that fans recognize—his enigmatic presence, the spark of his early musical genius. But as the story progresses and Dylan rises to legendary status, Chalamet’s performance evolves, capturing the essence of Dylan’s transformation into a star who defied conventional expectations.
This progression is enhanced by James Mangold’s choice to linger on sustained shots that let Chalamet fully embody his character, providing space for subtle, transformative moments. These extended scenes build a sense of anticipation, allowing the audience to witness Chalamet’s metamorphosis into a figure who encapsulates Dylan’s mystique. Beyond his acting, Chalamet’s genuine musical talent—playing the guitar, harmonica, and singing—adds an authentic layer that deepens the film’s believability and impact. The combination of Mangold’s directorial approach and Chalamet’s skill helps shape this dramatized version of Dylan as more than just an imitation; it becomes a vivid reimagining of the musician as “some other me,” a phrase Dylan himself once used to express his multifaceted identity.
The careful balance of these elements makes Chalamet’s portrayal compelling and immersive, capturing the complexity of Dylan’s character as he grapples with fame, artistic growth, and the drive to redefine himself outside the limitations of expectation.
While A Complete Unknown shines in many areas, its conclusion falls short of the careful storytelling and depth that director James Mangold and his team established throughout the film. The 1965 Newport Folk Festival, a historic moment marking Bob Dylan’s dramatic shift from folk to rock music, holds immense significance in popular culture. Unfortunately, the film’s treatment of this iconic event underwhelms by succumbing to the very clichés it had previously avoided. Rather than capturing the festival through Dylan’s personal perspective, Mangold opts for a more exaggerated and conventional approach that undermines the film’s authenticity.
This final sequence feels disconnected from the film’s earlier subtlety and layered narrative. Instead of providing insight into Dylan’s emotions or motivations during this pivotal moment, the portrayal becomes more about dramatizing the spectacle from the outside, which reduces the scene to a re-enactment rather than an immersive conclusion. The film’s handling of the breakdown in Dylan and Pete Seeger’s relationship, a critical subplot, also fails to delve deeply enough to connect the personal conflict with the broader cultural upheaval of the time.
As a result, the climax glosses over the complexity of Dylan’s groundbreaking decision, making the ending feel anticlimactic when juxtaposed with the film’s otherwise rich storytelling. This becomes especially noticeable compared to the film’s previous depth and attention to detail. The conclusion would have benefited from a more nuanced wrap-up—such as the reconciliation between Dylan and Seeger at Woody Guthrie’s tribute concert four years later, which is only briefly acknowledged through a post-credits text. This missed opportunity detracts from an otherwise skillful exploration of Dylan’s career and legacy.
RGM GRADE
(B-)
Ultimately, A Complete Unknown is a well-crafted film with standout performances, showcasing James Mangold’s commitment to breaking away from the typical musical biopic formula to create something more compelling. While the film has its issues, particularly in the final act, it is surprising how much it resonates as a whole. Unlike many musical biopics that overload viewers with references and iconic moments at the expense of character depth, Mangold chooses to focus on a more concise period of Bob Dylan’s life and his personal transformation during that time. This approach helps capture the essence of Dylan not just as a public figure but as a person and an artist.
The film succeeds in immersing viewers in Dylan’s evolution, prompting reflection on other works that explore artistic journeys and creative shifts, such as Love & Mercy, John Carpenter’s Elvis, and Dylan’s own albums Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde. Any film that leaves audiences contemplating the impact of great art has succeeded on some level, making A Complete Unknown a worthwhile experience despite its flaws.
