A Complete Unknown (2024)

I recognize what an enormous figure Bob Dylan is. Musically, culturally and literary, the man is a giant. That said, I'm not what you'd call a big fan.

I know his most iconic songs and I know who he is, but I haven't delved much further. Maybe because of that, and because I failed to connect with the character, the movie didn't end up convincing me.

Timothée Chalamet does a great job, I won't take that away from him. He gets into Dylan's skin so faithfully that he spends most of the movie looking pissed off or expressionless, as if the whole world is bothering him.

I get that this is Dylan, a guy who communicated through his music, but not exploring more of his motivations or his more human side took me out of the movie a bit.

Not being a huge fan or speaking native English, I don't connect with his lyrics like someone more immersed in his work probably would, and that makes it hard for me to get excited about his story.

By contrast, I found the supporting players much more interesting. Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez is spectacular, especially in the scene during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where her initial panicked reaction causes her to take to the streets in desperation, that scene is an example of a certain effort to convey the socio-political reality of the time, and this character succeeds.

Elle Fanning also brings the cunt that is dealing with a character as secretive as Bob, even erring on the side of exposition by telling him to his face at one point that he is a complete stranger and has no idea of Bob's past and what drives him to do what he does.

Edward Norton, wow how this actor has aged! But he's perfect for this role of a classic folk good guy with his banjo.

On the technical side, there is little to criticize. The cinematography and production design manage to recreate the period in such a way that you can almost feel the atmosphere of the 60's in those folk music taverns. In that sense, this movie is more than adequate.

On a musical level, again, I admit that my lack of affinity for Dylan works against me. However, Chalamet's singing (in his own voice, I understand) is to be applauded. It's not easy to imitate the master, and here he does it well, in my opinion.

In short, I find it a well-made film, with a dedicated cast and great technical work, but it doesn't quite connect with me. Maybe Dylan's hardcore fans can enjoy it much more, but for those of us who aren't, it's a bit cold.