A Complete Unknown

Review: I was finally able to get into the theater to see ‘A Complete Unknown,’ the Bob Dylan biopic focused primarily on Dylan’s early folk career and climactic transition to electric instruments. The film was overall really good, and I say that as someone who (respectfully) doesn’t know or particularly care anything about Dylan. The film does a great job laying the folk scene & the part Dylan played in it. It also established these other artists we see (Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie) to the proper effect. Also, every appearance of Johnny Cash (though they were few) had such an impactful levity to it. The film also brilliantly establishes the oddity & idiosyncrasy of Dylan, even making him out as a jerk at many points, while keeping the viewer firmly in his corner. This film was a great watch and one of the best musician biopics I’ve seen.

High: I have said many, many times that Timothée Chalamet is the greatest actor of this generation. I will stand on that, but I would now say he truly is going to be (or perhaps already is) one of the greatest actors ever. He has undeniable talent. While the rest of the cast (Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, & Scoot McNairy) were all great in their respective roles, Chalamet backpacked this film to what it is. And wow, the fact that he sang & played live was just the cherry on top. I’ve spent some time listening to Dylan & Chalamet’s versions side by side and the similarity is truly awing.

Low: I watched this film the same day the Golden Globes occurred and was pretty upset that Timothée Chalamet didn’t win. I really am holding out hope that he wins the Oscar. Yes. That’s my low is that he may not win the Oscar even though he should. A low that I thought was possible that I would be confused since I have zero knowledge about Dylan, but the film did a great job keeping those of us that are unformed in the loop without being too exposition dumpy.

Rating: 8.5/10