James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown gives viewers a close look at Bob Dylan’s early career. While the film captures some key moments in Dylan’s life, it has its ups and downs. Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Dylan is the standout, making the film much better than it would have been otherwise.
Chalamet does an incredible job playing Dylan. He doesn’t just imitate Dylan’s voice or look—he brings out Dylan’s personality, showing his quiet confidence and unique charm. Chalamet makes Dylan feel real, balancing his mysterious side with vulnerability. His performance keeps the movie engaging, even when other parts of the film drag or feel incomplete.
Bob Dylan himself was very involved in making the movie, which adds authenticity to some scenes. He worked closely with Mangold and even gave notes on the script. This collaboration helps make the movie feel accurate, especially in its portrayal of pivotal moments like Dylan’s rise to fame. However, Dylan’s involvement might have limited the story. The film only focuses on the parts of his life he wanted to share, leaving out key details about his early years and the full impact he had on the music industry.
The movie touches on Dylan’s relationships with Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash but doesn’t dive deeply enough into these important connections. Events like the Newport Folk Festival feel too small and don’t fully capture how Dylan transformed the music world. While these moments are included, they lack the emotional weight they deserve.
One of the biggest issues with the film is its pacing. Some scenes feel slow and stretched out, while others move too quickly through crucial moments. This uneven pace makes the story feel incomplete, leaving viewers wanting more of Dylan’s life story and his influence on music and culture.
Despite these flaws, Chalamet’s performance makes A Complete Unknown worth watching. He brings a depth to Dylan that keeps the audience connected, even when the story falters. While the film doesn’t tell the full story of Dylan’s life, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a specific chapter. Fans of Dylan and Chalamet alike will find much to appreciate, even if the movie could have done more to capture Dylan’s extraordinary journey.
