When I watched A Complete Unknown, the new Bob Dylan biopic, I wasn’t expecting much. The story of Dylan’s meteoric rise—from a scrappy 19-year-old arriving in New York City with a guitar to becoming the voice of a generation—is well-trodden territory. Add to that the casting of Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, which felt like Hollywood's relentless overuse of its current golden boy, and my skepticism was well-founded. But to my surprise, the film not only exceeded my expectations but left me thoroughly impressed.
At its core, A Complete Unknown captures the essence of Dylan during his early Greenwich Village days and the subsequent whirlwind of his rise to fame. For those already familiar with Dylan lore, the film strikes a balance between honoring the mythos and portraying the human being behind it. For newcomers, it serves as an accessible and engaging introduction to one of the most fascinating figures in modern music history.
The Genius of Young Dylan
The film shines when depicting Dylan's genius. Scene after scene shows him conjuring songs that feel timeless and groundbreaking—songs he once described as being “magically written.” The filmmakers do a remarkable job of conveying how Dylan’s talent felt almost supernatural to those around him. There’s a palpable Mozart–Salieri dynamic, with other musicians simultaneously in awe of and envious of his effortless brilliance.
This dynamic is reminiscent of the iconic moment in Don’t Look Back (the 1967 Dylan documentary) where Dylan casually upstages Donovan with a display of raw talent. While the scene isn’t directly recreated, the spirit of such moments permeates the film.
Dylan the Man: Flawed, Iconoclastic, and Reluctantly Famous
The movie doesn’t shy away from Dylan’s rough edges. It shows his penchant for alienating those close to him, his resentment of fame, and his fierce rejection of being labeled—whether as a protest singer, a folk musician, or a generational spokesman. These qualities make him both frustrating and fascinating, a man who defied expectations even at the cost of alienating his audience.
The film’s portrayal of the Newport Folk Festival, where Dylan “went electric” and scandalized folk purists, captures this defiance perfectly. For those who may not know why this was such a seismic moment in music history, the movie explains it without feeling overly didactic. And for fans who already understand its weight, the scene is a visceral reminder of just how audacious and risky that decision was.
The Chalamet Factor
Timothée Chalamet, as Dylan, was my biggest worry going into the film, but his performance is surprisingly effective. He channels Dylan’s enigmatic charisma, capturing both the quiet confidence and the prickly defensiveness that defined him in his early years. While Chalamet might not look or sound exactly like Dylan, he nails the spirit of the character in a way that’s compelling and authentic.
Accepting Imperfection
Of course, no biopic is without its flaws. Hardcore Dylan fans will undoubtedly pick apart inaccuracies or timelines that don’t quite align with reality. But A Complete Unknown isn’t aiming to be a forensic biography; it’s a film meant to entertain and evoke, not to appease the Dylan obsessives who debate his status as a prophet.
For a mass audience, the movie succeeds in showing why Dylan mattered then and why he continues to resonate today. And for those with more knowledge, it offers enough thoughtful moments and emotional depth to keep them engaged.
Final Thoughts
A Complete Unknown is more than just another music biopic—it’s a thoughtful, entertaining exploration of a young artist’s genius and his complicated relationship with the world around him. Even if you come in skeptical, as I did, you might find yourself walking out with a deeper appreciation for both Dylan’s music and the man behind it. For newcomers, it’s an inviting gateway into the Dylan story. For fans, it’s a reminder of why we’re still talking about him decades later.
