Bob Dylan is still touring at 83 (Express.co.uk reviewed him at the Royal Albert Hall last week) but that doesn’t mean a living legend can’t have a biopic.
James Mangold, who directed beyond the Oscar-winning Johnny Cash movie Walk the Line, helms A Complete Unknown: A Ballad of a True Original, starring Timothée Chalamet as the Bard himself.
The new film is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! It covers the 1965 controversy surrounding the star’s move to an electric guitar.
Meanwhile, Mangold’s script was annotated by the music icon himself, who also provided notes for Chalamet.
Co-starring Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, the first reactions for the movie in and are mostly very positive. Check out some highlights below.
Variety
Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination in A Complete Unknown. Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.
Cinema Daily
A Complete Unknown looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast, but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.
The Playlist
Not a fan of folk music and A Complete Unknown is superb and shockingly moving. Timothee is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin-off movie.
The Cinema Group
Timothée Chalamet’s performance in ‘A Complete Unknown’ is nothing short of transformative. He becomes Dylan, disappearing completely into the man behind the music. Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton also shine, each bringing depth and humanity to their roles. The emotional arc of the film is unexpectedly moving, masterfully constructed by James Mangold. It’s a shockingly evocative look at an artist whose mystery remains ever-intact.
Scott Menzel
Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown. A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.
Tim Gerber
A Complete Unknown is a solid biopic, showing Bob Dylan as a deeply talented individual with a lack of social intelligence. Timothee Chalamet is excellent & Monica Barbaro is captivating as Joan Baez. Oscar nominatons for Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Costumes are possible
Ryan Swen
(Not terrible but often unsuccessful, Chalamet does his best, considerably better in the 1961 section than 1965, frequently incoherent/inaccurate)
A Complete Unknown will be released in UK cinemas on January 17, 2025, and US movie theaters on Christmas Day, 2024.
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