That Bob Dylan—why did he do what he did? A musical artist skyrockets to fame, only to change his sound? Why?
A Complete Unknown maps out the mystery of Dylan, and while clarifying some things, doesn’t answer what it can’t: Who is Bob Dylan? The title might well be director James Mangold’s answer.
The film covers 1961 to 1965—beginning with Dylan’s arrival in New York City and meeting a Huntington’s Disease-afflicted Woody Guthrie. He finds the famous Guthrie at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital unable to speak with words, but able to speak in other ways—and with Guthrie, he meets another folk music hero, Pete Seeger.
Soon Dylan meets a new mentor and partner, the famous redhead from the album cover of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, Suze Russo (Elle Fanning).
The thoughtful, intense film has fun painting a picture of the infamous musical era and musical luminaries of the ’60s, such as Joan Baez and Johnny Cash. I felt giddy “meeting” them and listening to their music.
Timothée Chalamet as Dylan is a force. There’s spiritual metal here in an artist who is being “pulverized by fame” and who is yielding to the muse. The somber eye. The skinny boy-man. The endless smoking. Chalamet deserved to win the Oscar for best actor, but he and the movie were shut out despite eight nominations.
With Chalamet is a stellar supporting cast: Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick) as Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Cash, and the incredible Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.
Director James Mangold brings a wealth of experience and genres to the table. His most famous movies range from Girl, Interrupted and 3:10 to Yuma to Walk the Line and two recent Wolverine installments.
Something I related to was Dylan’s unwavering commitment to his muse. In my experience, artists need stubbornness—or a wee bit of oppositional defiance to make it since everyone has an opinion on what they should do and why.
This film is an electric glimpse of an iconic singer.
The movie contains adult sexuality and is rated “R” for language. Recommended for 18 and up. (Stream on Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and more.)
About the Author
Cynthia Beach authored the 2024 novel, The Surface of Water, and the writing book, Creative Juices for Writers. She co-directs Scriptoria Workshop with Newbery-winner Gary Schmidt. In 2025-6, she will serve as Artist in Residence in Dundee, Scotland.