‘A Complete Unknown’ Adds Little to the Enigmatic Figure of Bob Dylan
“The truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” said actor Timothée Chalamet as he accepted his award for Best Actor for A Complete Unknown at the most recent SAG Awards, held in late February. Chalamet’s performance—having reportedly spent over five years preparing to play Bob Dylan in the film—is truly commendable, but unfortunately, the movie itself does not live up to this pursuit of greatness, mainly due to a frantic script that clashes with the personality of the star it portrays.
A Complete Unknown arrived at the Oscars with eight nominations—including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress—and while it left empty-handed, it could have surprised audiences. Of course, Dylan himself is a phenomenon and an American icon, but the film also deserves recognition for some of its inspiring moments. The story follows the young singer’s arrival in New York and his introduction to the city’s folk scene, leading up to the controversial performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. However, the film’s highlight is not its script but its cast. Chalamet does everything possible—and impossible—to add depth to the singer, known for his mysterious persona. Elle Fanning is also charismatic as Sylvie. But it is Monica Barbaro who truly captivates whenever she is on screen.
The actress was also nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of folk singer Joan Baez, one of Dylan’s romantic partners in the film. Her performance is electrifying and magnetic, skillfully embodying the supporting role to further elevate her co-star Timothée Chalamet. The two fully commit to the film, as all the musical performances—and there are MANY—were done live, with no dubbing, and with the actors playing the instruments themselves.
Despite A Complete Unknown being a visually beautiful film with a genuine spirit, free from excessive mannerisms or exaggerated attempts at imitation, it ultimately feels like it has nothing new to say. The frequent time jumps leave the audience with the task of deciphering both Dylan’s enigmatic figure and his relationship with the folk scene and other significant events of the 1960s, which are often touched upon only superficially. By the end of the film, Dylan achieves his ‘freedom,’ but the audience is not given the same sense of fulfillment, leaving the theater without having gained any deeper insight into this legendary figure. Did we really need another biopic just to hear a collection of Dylan’s greatest hits?
Review written by our cinema expert collaborator Guilherme Lorenzoni.