Synopsis
Based on a book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald this movie focuses on the early years of Bob Dylan’s career, during his arrival to New York City and the explosive ascent into the folk music scene. This biography explores his human relationship, the evolution of his musical style and his mysterious personality.
What I Liked
- Timothée Chalamet’s performance is a fantastic portrayal of Dylan, without even knowing all of Dylan myself, the involvement, mannerisms, attitude and of course, the voice while talking and singing is remarkable. Apparently, Chalamet is everywhere now, but with this level of commitment and performance, he can keep conquering the world of acting.
- The production level, photography, and adaptation of the 60’s in New York is stunning, raw, sad and crowded. The sets and the scenes shine with details.
- The film is a particularly efficient way to engage with the legend of Bob Dylan. It seamlessly integrates his early songs into the narrative, providing context and a good approach to know more of the folk movement and of course, Dylan’s rising.
- Dylan’s commitment for his art is a big part of the movie, but I also really appreciate that, as most talented obsessive people. He is also seen as a flawed and “kind of an asshole” character. With lots of internal conflicts, struggling with fame, expectations, art and of course, his human relationships.
What Could Be Better
- The pacing of the film, even if it is not slow at all, feels a bit dragged out in the middle development of the film. Maybe because it is not a full life biopic, so the script must adapt and “cook” the main conflict with more exposition that needed, asking for a bit more patience to the spectators.
- Even if the film is not presented over Dylan’s point of view, everything around him feels in a way detached and not so important. it could have delved further into the complexities of their connection and its impact on his music.
- The film primarily focuses on Dylan’s early years, leaving out significant portions of his later career, and the way the film was advertised and presented, you can feel a bit misled. Not a big deal at all, but clearly it leaves behind a huge part of the story for further exploration.
My Insight
Bob Dylan is one of those artists that I could classify as legendary, however, I do not know him. I have never seriously immersed myself in his songs, lyrics or history. So, my approach to “A Complete Unknown” had a side of discovering the film on its own merits, but also why Dylan is so influential in the history of modern music.
