 "A Complete Unknown movie review: Timothee Chalamet delivers an Oscar-winning performance in legendary Bob Dylan's remarkable biopic")
Star cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morganfield, Will Harrison, and Scoot McNairy
Director: James Mangold
Rating: 4 (out of 5 stars)
Well, everyone knows about the legendary musician Bob Dylan. His distinct voice, charm, and thought-provoking poetries and lyrics made him an unwilling leader of his generation. However, his personal life except for a stint in a travelling carnival, is a ‘A Complete Unknown’, a title taken from the chorus of Dylan’s 1965 single “Like a Rolling Stone”.
The title beautifully captures the essence of the legendary musician’s journey. Right from his contrary opinions to his sudden fame and sometimes a rebellious nature what remains completely unknown is his past and personal life or origin.
Talking about the plot, it starts in 1961 when a young Bob Dylan comes to New York City to meet his music idol Woody Guthrie, who is dying slowly from Huntington’s disease. In the hospital, Dylan also meets his close friend Pete Seeger (Edward Norton). He sings a song, which he wrote for Woody and they instantly find it mind-blowing.
Pete offers Dylan to stay with his family and slowly introduces him to the folk scenes in New York. And post that we see his growth from an unknown musician to a revolutionary folk sensation, whose popularity is sky-high but who prefers to stay aloof with his guitar and writing songs.
His socially conscious songwriting, which capitalizes on political and social unrest, makes him relevant and takes him to a new level of stardom. However, the burden of expectations of the industry and the folk music community makes him realize that he has not achieved artistic stardom. He wants to break free and embrace the modern energy with rock and blues-inspired electric guitars leaving his traditional folk genre and acoustic instrument.
Well, the semi-serious biopic of Bob Dylan, which is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric!, is masterfully crafted by James Mangold. He struck the right chord with his narrative and transports us to that era with his magical storytelling.
Timothée Chalamet has lived Dylan. His organs and soul symbolise the legendary musician. It won’t be surprising if he bags the Academy for his performance. Edward is beautiful and loving as Pete and Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro are simply superb as they add emotional depth to the storytelling with their meaty characters.
On the whole, A Complete Unknown is an outright winner and deserves to be seen on the big screen.
A Complete Unknown will release in India on 28th February
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