From acoustic guitars and harmonicas to electrifying rock, Timothée Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown,” a new movie depicting Dylan’s rise to fame and his relationships along the way.
The movie tells the tale of 19-year-old Dylan as he arrives in New York with only a guitar and his raw talent. Dylan loves folk music, and after meeting some of his musical idols, he grows in recognition in the music community. Dylan falls in love with Sylvie Russo, played by Elle Fanning, and is forced to find a balance between his career and his relationships. After becoming restless in the world of folk music, Dylan makes a bold choice and risks everything to stand out.
Alongside Chalamet and Fanning, “A Complete Unknown” stars Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton. Barbaro plays Joan Baez, a musical genius the industry pairs up with Dylan. Norton acts as Pete Seeger, a mentor who just wants the best for Dylan, but the best might not be what Dylan seeks.
The movie’s soundtrack features multiple iconic songs from Dylan’s discography. Chalamet trained for over five years to vocally execute the musical caliber of the film and fully respect Dylan’s artistry. According to RadioTimes, “I had a lot of time to practice because we were meant to make the film five and half years ago, then there was Covid and then there was the actors’ strike, so I have years to prepare,” said Chalamet in an interview on The Graham Norton Show. Chalamet sang and played all of the songs featured in the movie live. The five years he spent preparing for the role allowed him time to execute live music effectively. Chalamet is now up for the Best Lead Actor category in this year’s Oscars.
“A Complete Unknown” was a captivating experience of the world of Dylan and his companions. Seeing the movie on the big screen allowed for a sense of being a live audience member to some of Dylan’s most intimate performances, whether in his bedroom or small performances with small audiences. The movie educated audiences unfamiliar with Dylan’s work and introduced them to the folk-to-rock transition that changed Dylan’s career and music history. Out of Chalamet’s wide variety of roles, his take on Dylan’s persona was outside of Chalamet’s normal typecast, and it was interesting to see a differing side to his acting. This new perspective was only more appreciated with the addition of music and singing, something Chalamet had never previously advertised.
“A Complete Unknown” is a fresh addition to the film industry of today’s age, reflecting on the history of music and the power behind it.
