Film Review: A Complete Unknown
2 min read“New York, early 1960s. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. As he forms his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement and, refusing to be defined, makes a controversial choice that culturally reverberates worldwide” – Disney
Snapshot Review: The big Bob Dylan biopic has finally arrived on UK Screens! We follow Dylan through his formative years between 1961 to 1965. We see his journey from ‘A Complete Unknown’ to a fully fledged rock and roll rule breaker. This biopic really focuses on the music and genius of Dylan’s lyrics and perpetuates his mystical talent. Chalamet’s performance is delicately nuanced to showcase the complex personality of this musical legend. The film also focuses on Dylan’s turbulent relationship with the women in his life. Early on in the film, Dylan meets Sylvie (played Elle Fanning) and we observe how innocent yet frustrating he can be. Dylan’s other relationship with the singer Joan Baez (played brilliantly by Monica Barbaro) is also explored throughout the film. Chalamet and Barbaro do an excellent job in showing the raw, magnetic energy between the two musicians.
This film does not massively push the boundaries of the biopic genre due to a lack of experimentation and risk. Nonetheless, there are some very thoughtful and solid performances that make this a fairly enjoyable watch. The film really prioritises the music which at times is a detriment to the story. If you like Bob Dylan and if you like a Hollywood biopic, this film is certainly for you.
Release Date: 17/01/2024
Genre: Biographical/Musical/Drama
Cast: Timothee Chamalet, Elle Fanning, Mina Barbaro, Edward Norton, Benedict Cumberbach