Review: A Complete Unknown
The Ballad Of A True Original
INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film A Complete Unknown. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.
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THE PLOT
Via Letterboxd: New York, early sixties. 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.
QUICK REVIEW
I have to admit that while I’ve, of course, listened to Bob Dylan’s most iconic songs, I wouldn’t call myself a big fan of his extensive catalog. It’s not that I have anything against him or folk music, it’s just that I didn’t grow up listening to his work or connecting with his soundtracks. Johnny Cash? Led Zeppelin? The Rolling Stones? The Who? Absolutely. But Dylan’s songs haven’t been as pivotal in my life in music as they have for many others.
That said, I was still intrigued by James Mangold’s attempt to tell the story of the early years of Dylan’s long and illustrious career. Adding to the anticipation was the casting of Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, seemingly a recipe for cinematic sucess. And it appears many agree, as the film has already entered the Best Picture conversation, earning nominations from most major groups as of this writing - though it notably missed out with the Hollywood Creative Alliance’s Astra Awards.
Unfortunately, a last-minute situation prevented me from attending the press screening I was invited to, but thankfully, Searchlight Pictures provided me with a screener link to catch up with last week. So, here are my thoughts...
First, the positives.
This is undeniably a well-shot film, featuring slick editing that particularly shines in its use of music and sound. The direction is strong, as expected from a seasoned filmmaker like Mangold, and the soundtrack is so exceptional it might even make my personal "best of the year" list when it comes to that category.
The performances are outstanding across the board. Monica Barbaro imbues nuance and care to her portrayal of Joan Baez; while Edward Norton nails Pete Seeger, capturing both his appearance and accent with precision. However, the highest praise goes to Timothée Chalamet, who fully embodies Bob Dylan in every detail, down to the smallest mannerisms. It’s almost eerie how transformative his performance is, which might arguably be the best of his career. At the very least, he’s more than deserving of a nomination on any acting ballot.
But alas, this is where my praises take a pause.
Where the film falters, and ultimately becomes my least favorite Mangold project in recent years, is its script. Dylan is portrayed as an enigma, a fascinating choice initially, but the film never moves beyond this. By the time the credits rolled, I felt I hadn’t truly learned anything meaningful about the man. His relationships and how he treated them, as depicted, often made him seem frustrating or outright unlikable, and his motivations remained maddeningly unclear. There’s a fine line between maintaining mystery around your protagonist and failing to provide any sense of who they are, and unfortunately, this film crosses that line.
As a result, the two-hour runtime left me feeling a sense of emptiness where there should have been insight or connection. Without the stellar soundtrack or great acting, I might have leaned toward a more negative review. As it stands, A Complete Unknown feels like a middling attempt at a music biopic, elevated by its remarkable acting and technical elements but hindered by a weak and distant screenplay.
I give A Complete Unknown a marginally positive grade of B-. While its craftsmanship and performances are top-notch, the lack of emotional depth and insight into its protagonist leaves me unenthusiastic about revisiting it anytime soon.
INITIAL GRADING
