In 1961, an unknown 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York City with his guitar and forges relationships with musical icons on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking performan... Read allIn 1961, an unknown 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York City with his guitar and forges relationships with musical icons on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking performance that reverberates around the world.In 1961, an unknown 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York City with his guitar and forges relationships with musical icons on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking performance that reverberates around the world.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Nominated for 8 Oscars
- 27 wins & 133 nominations total
Lenny Grossman
- Federal Court Clerk
- (as Leonard Grossman)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'A Complete Unknown' captivates with Timothée Chalamet's performance and immersive 1960s setting. The music and period details are lauded, though some find the narrative shallow and pacing slow. Critics appreciate the enigmatic portrayal of Dylan, yet note unanswered questions about his motivations. Edward Norton's supporting role is highlighted, and the film's evocation of the era through music and visuals is praised.
Featured reviews
A Complete Unknown is a prelude into Bob Dylan's (Timothée Chalamet) career and it begins when Dylan arrives in New York City to visit his folk music hero Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), an American singer-songwriter and composer, who is hospitalized at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital due to a neurodegenerative disease that left him mobility impaired. Woody is notably known for the song This Land Is Your Land, which we see Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) playing this song during his court trial - for contempt of Congress, which was overturned on a technicality. The song has some deep fascinating history, and Norton did it some justice with his remarkable singing. Later in the movie, Norton sings The Lion Sleeps Tonight while playing the banjo, which was pure enjoyment.
The film also depicts how Pete Seeger is captivated by Bob Dylan's talent and his easygoing personality that he decides to promote his music career. Like your typical musician, Dylan finds himself caught in a love triangle with Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning) - the one that encourages his song writing and supports him financially, and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) - the one that introduces Dylan to her audience and boosts his music career. Monica Barbaro's singing was beyond impressive and heavenly. She hit those high notes so delicately and precise.
Huge praise to Director and Writer James Mangold in successfully illustrating Bob Dylan's journey in becoming one of the greatest songwriters of all time. James Mangold, known for Walk the Line, included Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) as Dylan's motivation for not becoming a novelty act and encouraged him to make a statement and bring out his rebel side regarding change - Civil Rights Movements, which can be heard throughout the lyrics in the songs, The Times They Are a-Changin' and Like a Rolling Stone - where he performed it at the Newport Folk Festival with an electric musical instruments, and history was made.
Timothée Chalamet certainly had some big shoes to fill taking on the challenge of portraying the young enigmatic Bob Dylan. Chalamet truly stuns the audience radiating that Bob Dylan 60s folk rock vibe with the symbolic harmonica and those fashion iconic sunglasses. A Complete Unknown will leave you wanting an encore.
The film also depicts how Pete Seeger is captivated by Bob Dylan's talent and his easygoing personality that he decides to promote his music career. Like your typical musician, Dylan finds himself caught in a love triangle with Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning) - the one that encourages his song writing and supports him financially, and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) - the one that introduces Dylan to her audience and boosts his music career. Monica Barbaro's singing was beyond impressive and heavenly. She hit those high notes so delicately and precise.
Huge praise to Director and Writer James Mangold in successfully illustrating Bob Dylan's journey in becoming one of the greatest songwriters of all time. James Mangold, known for Walk the Line, included Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) as Dylan's motivation for not becoming a novelty act and encouraged him to make a statement and bring out his rebel side regarding change - Civil Rights Movements, which can be heard throughout the lyrics in the songs, The Times They Are a-Changin' and Like a Rolling Stone - where he performed it at the Newport Folk Festival with an electric musical instruments, and history was made.
Timothée Chalamet certainly had some big shoes to fill taking on the challenge of portraying the young enigmatic Bob Dylan. Chalamet truly stuns the audience radiating that Bob Dylan 60s folk rock vibe with the symbolic harmonica and those fashion iconic sunglasses. A Complete Unknown will leave you wanting an encore.
I do like a music based film, and I'm old enough to know and like Bob. I think Timothy is good, but previously so young looking I struggled with some of his roles. Here he grows up. Bob Dylan is a great part for him, and he plays him well, maturing physically and as an actor.
The film seemed a little "clean" and in the midst of the mid 60's onward, drugs seem to be limited to cigarettes! Even Bob himself has talked about drugs issues related to opioids and psychedelics, so it did seem an important admission, maybe related to Bob still being with us.
However still an entertaining biopic with great music which was the focus (as it should bet) for the Nobel prize winning icon.
Driving home from the cinema happily singing along to Bob which clearly had the desired effect. 7/10.
The film seemed a little "clean" and in the midst of the mid 60's onward, drugs seem to be limited to cigarettes! Even Bob himself has talked about drugs issues related to opioids and psychedelics, so it did seem an important admission, maybe related to Bob still being with us.
However still an entertaining biopic with great music which was the focus (as it should bet) for the Nobel prize winning icon.
Driving home from the cinema happily singing along to Bob which clearly had the desired effect. 7/10.
I loved A Complete Unknown. To me, it is a story of lost innocence-a modern fall from Eden. Dylan's relentless chase for what he thinks will make him happy only highlights his longing for what he has already lost. The problem is, he doesn't know who he is. His evolving relationships mirror the changes in his music, and by the end, he seems to realize that whatever he's become, he regrets some of his choices because there's no going back.
And the soundtrack? Absolutely killer-every track perfectly captures Dylan's transformation and inner conflict, making the film an unforgettable theater experience.
And the soundtrack? Absolutely killer-every track perfectly captures Dylan's transformation and inner conflict, making the film an unforgettable theater experience.
Honestly I had very low expectations for "a complete unknown". Making a biopic about a person that's still alive, and such a specific and unique person as Bob Dylan had to have looked like nothing other than a caricature. But somehow Timothee transformed and became Dylan so organically and so effortlessly. The period of time when Dylan was in his early twenties, when the world was getting acquainted with him as well as he was with his own self was done well. I appreciated the humor in the script, our audience got in a few genuine laughs throughout the 2 hour run.
Monica Barbaro playing Joan was a breath of fresh air! I hope she gets the praise she deserves for this and more opportunities in the future.
Elle Fanning was a slightly disappointing choice for a character based on Suze Rotolo who according to Bob was this breathtaking and striking woman. I didn't feel like Elle did her best work, she was too much Elle Fanning.
However my favorite part must have been Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. I am unfamiliar with the real Pete Seeger so I cannot compare but Edward Norton did a fantastic job in the film.
I will not likely see this film again, but walking out of the theater I had a nice aftertaste of the honor to legacy that Bob Dylan will leave (and already has) in this world. Timmy deserves an Oscar nomination and recognition for this role. I'm very curious to compare this to the Bruce Springsteen biopic with Jeremy Allen White when it comes out.
Monica Barbaro playing Joan was a breath of fresh air! I hope she gets the praise she deserves for this and more opportunities in the future.
Elle Fanning was a slightly disappointing choice for a character based on Suze Rotolo who according to Bob was this breathtaking and striking woman. I didn't feel like Elle did her best work, she was too much Elle Fanning.
However my favorite part must have been Edward Norton as Pete Seeger. I am unfamiliar with the real Pete Seeger so I cannot compare but Edward Norton did a fantastic job in the film.
I will not likely see this film again, but walking out of the theater I had a nice aftertaste of the honor to legacy that Bob Dylan will leave (and already has) in this world. Timmy deserves an Oscar nomination and recognition for this role. I'm very curious to compare this to the Bruce Springsteen biopic with Jeremy Allen White when it comes out.
There was one weakness in this film that made inferior to Inside Llewyn Davis; it lacked authenticity. How odd that a completely fictional character like Llewyn Davis had the feel of the real Bob Dylan, and the Bob Dylan film did not.
I lived through this era personally. I loved this music as it started, and evolved from 1961 to the present day. I remember strolling through the Village feeling more alive than at any other time of my life. I went to the early shows of Bob Dylan, and thought he was a genius.
This film, however, does not match Inside Llewyn Davis for catching that sense of genius. It is very slick, and well done, but just not as authentic.
The writer-director, James Mangold, does a magnificent job of capturing the atmosphere of the 1960s with great authenticity. His inclusion of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Kennedy Assassination mirror the anxiety of the times.
The lead actor, TImothee Chalamet, does an outstanding job as Dylan. He is amply supported by a powerhouse cast led by Edward Norton.
The story about Dylan's arrival in the Village in the early 60s was done well.
The cinematography and set designs are letter-perfect; but something was missing. Believability.
I lived through this era personally. I loved this music as it started, and evolved from 1961 to the present day. I remember strolling through the Village feeling more alive than at any other time of my life. I went to the early shows of Bob Dylan, and thought he was a genius.
This film, however, does not match Inside Llewyn Davis for catching that sense of genius. It is very slick, and well done, but just not as authentic.
The writer-director, James Mangold, does a magnificent job of capturing the atmosphere of the 1960s with great authenticity. His inclusion of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Kennedy Assassination mirror the anxiety of the times.
The lead actor, TImothee Chalamet, does an outstanding job as Dylan. He is amply supported by a powerhouse cast led by Edward Norton.
The story about Dylan's arrival in the Village in the early 60s was done well.
The cinematography and set designs are letter-perfect; but something was missing. Believability.
Soundtrack
Preview the soundtrack here and continue listening on Amazon Music.
Did you know
- TriviaEdward Norton was the first cast member to muster up the courage to reach out to Joan Baez for advice, interested in what the Pete Seeger was like and her friendship with him. He then passed on word to Monica Barbaro that Baez was willing to speak with her.
- GoofsAt Newport 1965, stage monitors are visible when Bob and his electric band are performing. But no monitors were actually used at Newport that year, and they did not become common for performing musicians until a few years later.
- Crazy creditsThe Searchlight Pictures logo plays without the fanfare.
- SoundtracksDusty Old Dust (So Long It's Been Good to Know Yuh)
Written and Performed by Woody Guthrie
Courtesy of RCA Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $70,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $75,001,720
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $11,655,553
- Dec 29, 2024
- Gross worldwide
- $140,508,652
- Runtime
- 2h 21m(141 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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