“The Complete Unknown” is set to stir emotions as it tells the story of one of the most fascinating figures in the music world, Bob Dylan. The picture’s direction is done by a genius, James Mangold, who has done movies like Walk the Line and Logan. Based on the life of Dylan, this biopic covers not only his music but also several historical and cultural events from the 1960s that shaped modern society. The biopic transports the viewers into the life of Dylan as a young artist in the genre’s hub Greenwhich village, consuming himself with the music while taking part in civil movements.
As history would have it, Timothée Chalamet steps into the role of a teenage Bob, and the world could use more of such an A list cast. Fans of both the actor and the character would certainly love his portrayal of the artist. Thus, he not only stars but also covers Dyan’s songs, and in doing so, reminds the viewers of a musician who wrote for the masses. Furthermore, Elle Fanning, who plays Sylvie Russo, was involved with the singer – and i’m sure they had the hottest make up and break up on screen, Chalamet’s performance of the cunning yet volatile connection.
Secondary characters add depth to the plot. As Joan Baez, a fellow artist and sometime collaborator with Bob Dylan, Monica Barbaro does great work. No less emphasis have been given to the role of Pete Seeger as played by Edward Norton. The screenplay, for example, is even more attentive to Dylan’s personal life the hardships he endured, his complex decisions as an artist and the hypocrisy that fanatics and the music industry have reciprocally aimed at him.
The film also shows how Dylan’s song like “Blowin’ in the wind” was such an important cultural point in history by outlining it’s excerpts chronologically throughout Dylan’s career, detailing his controversial shift from using ‘pure’ folk to electronic ‘drowning out’ the genre, which occurred at Newport Folk Festival in 1965. This is perhaps best illustrated by the documentary’s portrayal of Dylan’s infamous Newport ’65 performance: electrifying in every sense of the word that woefully captured the resentment that was building amongst some of his biggest fans that he desperately tried to overcome it in an attempt to change the brand that he had created.
Dylan’s nostalgia is elevated thanks to the stunning visuals and score. Every frame explores the nearing world of Greenwich Village- wherein everyone and everything ranges from the seasoned street stone mason to the crowd erupting with jubilation for Dylan’s set.
A Film That Operators On More Than Just Music
Not only a biopic, but A Complete Unknown also deals with the identity crisis of a certain young man who is famous and at the same time is unfortunate enough to be dubbed as the voice of the generation. It also examines the people around Dylan, such as his relationships with Joan Baez, other folk figures like Pete Seeger, and how he creatively distorted their advice while creating art.
The film is a reminder for us to never forget how music can be a potent force for social change. This is not merely a tale of Dylan, rather, this is much more than that – an episode from the life of countries younger generation across an eventful period in US history.
