A Complete Unknown Review

In the wake of the Oscar nominations, a musical biopic featuring Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis, who have gained the most love at the Academy in recent years, is bound to get some awards attention. This year, the Bob Dylan biopic, directed by Timothee Chalamet, is picking up the most steam at this year's Oscars, with eight nominations, proving that this genre of film is a guaranteed success in awards season. 

Unlike other biopics, which usually focus on a person's whole life, this film, 'A Complete Unknown,' is about a specific period of Dylan's life from 1961 to 1965. It is based on Elijah Wald's 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties. It focuses on Dylan and how he revolutionised the folk scene in music and blew audiences away with his poetic talents. However, he is dissatisfied with what he sees within the folk community, and he is yearning for the new rock’n’roll style that he sees in the '60s. 

Also, the story explores Dylan's relationship with his first girlfriend, Sylvie Russo, played by Elle Fanning, who famously appeared with him on the cover of his album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, walking hand in hand in Greenwich Village. Fanning showcases the innocence of that time and the folk scene in particular, whereas Joan Baez, played by Monica Barbaro, whom Dylan cheats on Sylvie, symbolises more success to him and his wanting to break free from the regressive and placid folk scene and experiment with a different sound. 

With any biopic, the real pressure is on the leading star, who is often portraying a star that so many know and have their own opinions of - so it is a daunting task, but Chalamet rises to that occasion and delivers the performance of his career. Due to the pandemic and the writer's strike, this film has been delayed by five years, and during that time, Chalamet has been perfecting his voice and guitar playing to portray an uncanny depiction of Dylan. He is a versatile actor in his choices, so he can showcase both the innocence of Dylan in the early years to the enigma that he has eventually become - wearing the glasses indoors and not being seen in public anymore most notably not turning up to collect his Nobel Peace Prize which is made reference to in the film. 

Overall, the film is excellent at recreating a pivotal time in music history, and for someone who knew very little about Dylan going into this film, it does leave you intrigued into his life and wanting to download his discography once you leave the cinema - which for a musical biopic is the sign of a job well done.