Watching A Complete Unknown felt like stepping into the smoky Greenwich Village cafes of the 1960s, where dreams were sung into existence and legends were born. I am someone who had only heard of Dylan as one of those iconic artists like Bob Marley, Sinatra, AD/DC. I’d never considered myself a fan, I just knew he existed and people my parent’s age love him. However, this film made me truly admire Bob Dylan’s music and impact on folk music. This film was truly an emotional and immersive experience.
Timothée Chalamet, the 29 year old actor and star of many films such as Call Me By Your Name (2018), portrayed Dylan in a way that is nothing short of incredible. He doesn’t just imitate Dylan—he inhabits him, from the hunched shoulders to the quiet but commanding charisma. Chalamet first got this role in 2019 and began working on it then, showing his absolute dedication to his craft.
Watching him perform Dylan’s early tracks live added an authenticity that deepened my connection to the story. I could feel the tension of a young man grappling with fame, art, and identity—a universal struggle for upcoming artists, yet still unique to Dylan.
What struck me most was how the film captured the spirit of the time. The cinematography felt like a sepia-tinted time capsule from the 60s, with each frame steeped in the raw energy of a cultural revolution. Scenes with Suze Rotolo, played by Elle Fanning, were particularly moving, revealing Dylan’s vulnerability beneath his enigmatic exterior. These tear-jerking scenes were even more impactful due to the fact that Rotolo is no longer with us, as she passed in 2011 from lung cancer; this movie is in memoriam to her impact on Dylan’s art. Their relationship, though brief, is portrayed as an anchor in his whirlwind ascent—a reminder of the humanity behind the myth.
Of course, no biopic is without its imperfections. The film takes creative liberties, as most biopics do, which may irk some long-time, dedicated fans. Certain moments felt romanticized, and some relationships, like the one with Joan Baez, were underexplored. But for me, these choices overall contributed positively to the narrative rather than detracting from it. This film isn’t meant to be a documentary; it’s a cinematic poem about a man who defies categorization.
Ultimately, A Complete Unknown is more than a film about Bob Dylan. It’s a think piece on the cost of genius, the weight of expectation, and the bittersweet nature of creating something that outlives you. For fans and newcomers alike, it’s a must-see—a love letter to an artist who taught the world to see things differently.
