Writer/Director: James Mangold
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning and Edward Norton
‘A Marvellous Musical Biopic’
When it comes to the world’s finest musicians that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Bob Dylan. Since he gained fame many years ago, Dylan crafted a legacy that was far from shallow. Throughout his lasting career, Dylan faced many obstacles that made him question whether he could achieve dreams that he was passionate about. He suffered from grim drug addiction that almost brought his career to an end. Despite facing the painful barriers of drug addiction, Dylan was a committed artist with a strong dedication towards his craft that didn’t give up his dreams of becoming a musician. A divine singer composing melodies which shine, Dylan has a lifelong love for music which never did decline. Like a rolling stone, Dylan became of the world’s most well-known musicians that always stood in a league of his own. Through his aptitude for singing, Dylan built a powerful legacy which is lasting. An awe-inspiring artist that had an aptitude for singing, Dylan had an immense impact on the world that is inspiring. Through his lifelong love for composing music, Dylan created a powerful legacy becoming a musician that’s iconic. Given his huge impact on the world of music, it’s no surprise Dylan’s life has often been depicted in movies which are authentic.
Now, James Mangold honours the well-known musician that changed the world in his movie “A Complete Unknown”. Released in 2024, the Oscar-nominated movie honours Bob Dylan’s legacy. With the most entertaining movie of his career, Mangold honours a legendary musician which composed melodies people love to hear. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best music biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary career performance by Timothee Chalamet, proving why he’s one of the best actors working today. Although “A Complete Unknown” is a brilliant musical biopic, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from an uneven pace that tests the patience. It can’t entirely do justice towards Bob Dylan’s enduring legacy. Nevertheless, it offers strong entertainment that fans of the musician won’t be able to resist.
Amid 1960’s New York, “A Complete Unknown” tells the true story of how Bob Dylan became a singer that’s well-known. Timothee Chalamet portrays Bob Dylan, a young adolescent with love for performing music. Arriving in the West Village with big dreams, Dylan dreams to be a musician that’s the best. Assisted by his friend Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), Dylan seeks to become a famous singer which is celebrated. However, Dylan’s dream of becoming a singer is threatened when he discovers the costs of being a musician. Faced with a dilemma, Bob begins to question whether is possible for him to become a singer in a competitive era. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Dylan begins to wonder whether it’s possible to be a famous singer. Experiencing obstacles that are challenging, Dylan questions whether his goals of becoming a celebrated musician are worth achieving.
James Mangold is fascinated with stories of musicians. A renowned filmmaker, Mangold has often told stories of singers facing odds against their favour. His Oscar-winning film “Walk the Line” captured the divine career of the iconic musician Johnny Cash. With “A Complete Unknown”, however, Mangold made his first Bob Dylan musical biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of the iconic folk singer Bob Dylan but he pulled it off effectively. Using stunning cinematography, Mangold captures a musician embarking upon a journey to discover his identity. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as breathtaking as melodies which Bob Dylan seeks to organize. Inspired with Dexter Fletcher’s “Rocketman”, Mangold effectively uses close-ups capturing a musician with love for singing. For instance, close-ups elevate the performance scene. In this unforgettable scene, Bob Dylan delivers a memorable live musical performance at a local restaurant. One appreciates intimate close ups capturing a strong stage presence of an iconic musician. Close-ups are tricky techniques to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” did suggest clearly, close-ups elevate horror films about sharks. Nevertheless, it works very well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Mangold captures the hardships that commemorated folk musicians are facing.
Another phenomenal aspect of “A Complete Unknown” that’s worth praising is the musical sequences. Mangold has always had aptitude for staging musical numbers in his films, and “A Complete Unknown” exhibited his strengths as a filmmaker. Inspired with Bradley Cooper’s “A Star is Born”, Mangold successfully employs live singing to honour a singer that’s inspiring. Unlike most musical biopics which are driven by fake vocals, the film uses a risky technique of live singing. The actors actually performed music for the movie. For instance, live singing elevates a private scene. During this heartfelt scene, Bob Dylan delivers a powerful musical performance for his girlfriend after they have slept together. One appreciates live singing capturing musicians that have a lifelong love for music which is inspiring. Live singing is a complicated technique to use in biopics. As Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” suggested clearly, live singing elevates Broadway stage adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Mangold reimagines the songs that are created by Bob Dylan for a modern-day generation. Through powerful production, Mangold celebrates the legacy of a legendary musician.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A Complete Unknown” is a musical biopic which is worth celebrating. The film is extremely well-written, and uses symbolism to capture the life of a singer. Mangold’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture a musician that achieves stardom through symbolism. Throughout the film, the harmonica becomes a symbol of Bob Dylan’s strong love for music. For instance, the symbol of the harmonica elevates the Times They are Changing musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Bob Dylan performs his song “The Times They Are Changing” at a concert using a harmonica. One appreciates the symbolism of the harmonica capturing the life of an artist with love for music. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me By Your Name” proved clearly, symbolism elevates movies about lives of queer lovers. Denis Villenueve’s “Dune” had suggested, symbolism elevates science fiction adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Using a superb screenplay, Mangold celebrates the commemorated legacy of a legendary musician today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Timothee Chalamet delivers one of his finest career performances as Bob Dylan. Chalamet achieved appreciation for playing queer lovers in coming-of-age dramas. With “A Complete Unknown”, however, the actor took on his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray the life of a legendary folk musician but he pulled it off tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Chalamet has spent most of his career playing serious roles in tense dramas. With “A Complete Unknown”, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned singer. Chalamet showcased a flair for singing melodies which he hasn’t depicted in his career before. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, desperation and trauma of a singer seeking to discover his identity. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Timothee Chalamet, the supporting cast is also worthy of praise. Edward Norton is stellar, capturing the passion of a renowned musician that recognizes Bob Dylan’s talent which earns appreciation. Elle Fanning is excellent, bringing humanity to Bob Dylan’s girlfriend that grows envious of his musical talent leading romantic relationships to begin declining. Finally, Monica Barbara merits appreciation. As a celebrated female folk singer, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Although “A Complete Unknown” is undeniably an engaging musical biopic, it can’t celebrate a singer which is well-known. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engrossing pacing. Mangold’s decisions to integrate love subplots about Bob Dylan’s romances into the film is bold but doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Bob interacting with girlfriends aren’t as engaging as his music performances. As Bryan Singer’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” suggested, subplots of romantic relationships elevate biopics about Queen. Consequently, “A Complete Unknown” can’t quite honour a legendary musician that is well-known.
Nevertheless, fans of Bob Dylan will definitely appreciate “A Complete Unknown” and so will movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A mesmerizing musical biopic, it celebrates a singer that’s iconic,
Nearly 60 years after Bob Dylan developed a love for singing transforming into a legendary musician that’s awe-inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of a musician that forever changed the world earning a huge fan following for his abilities to compose timeless melodies reflecting political tensions faced by the U.S. during an era of crisis whose enduring songs that remain relevant till this day are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 