A Complete Unknown Movie Review

James Mangold knocks it out of the park with another phenomenal music biopic with a stellar lead performance at the center

New York, early 1960s. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. James Mangold like he did with walk the line directs a music biopic with a distinct vision that makes it not feel like a cliché biopic making 1960s New York come alive. The performances from the cast especially Timothee Chalamet are next level amazing that bring this icon to life which is always key to any movie based on real people to not be an impression.

James Mangolds direction in this film is stellar the way he directs the music sequences sucks you in as the viewer that is very intimate that you are on stage with Bob and Joan with 2 shot close ups of their faces. Mangold’s camera work and editing choices during the music scenes are so good they make you feel what if must have been like to hear these songs for the first time back then that make your jaw drop like wow the close ups, the reaction shots of Ed Norton as Pete Seeger as Dylan is performing really add to that. One of the big reasons I love this film is Mangold does not necessarily answer who Dylan is but rather explore the enigma around him and the consequences for him and the people in his inner world and the conversations with his 2-love interest are great examples of that. Mangolds pacing in the film is great you do not notice it at all for a film at 2 hours and 20 minutes it flies by and because the film is so good at immersing you in this world you don’t want it to end balancing the music scenes with the conversations is seamless it never feels like Mangold ever falls into the trap of just having way too many music scenes where it feels just like a concert which it could have easily been.

I mentioned how good the acting is in this film starting with the title character Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan is phenomenal where it is uncanny how much he looks, sounds, and feels like him. The way he talks, to his mannerisms, his physicality of how he moves and carries himself makes you believe that is Bob Dylan you are watching not an actor doing an impression and his performance during the music scenes is incredible when you watch other music biopic films it’s nearly impossible for other actors to match the real life artist but Chalamet does such an amazing job where if you didn’t know you would think its Dylan doing the singing. Monica Barbaro as Joan and Elle Fanning as Sylvie in my opinion are just as compelling as Dyan is which is so great for this film they could have been just typical love interest but they aren’t they each have fully realized characters in their own unique way with Sylvie still figuring out who she is and what she wants then when she is watching him perform with Joan it is heartbreaking to see her realize she could never have that him which what she has always wanted with Dylan. Joan on the other hand knows who she is and will not put up with any of Dylan’s shit but will give it right back to him. Barbaro does an amazing job during the music scenes right with Chalamet to have to be on stage in front of people like that both alone and with Dylan, she must hold her own which she does in spades. Ed Norton is fantastic as he always is he brings a warmth to Pete Seeger that is so different from his other roles as well as a panic when Dylan is defiant playing his electric music at the folk festival that is layered and nuanced.

The production design and cinematography of the film is beautiful bringing 60s New York to life from the buildings, the apartments, the TVs, the recording tech of the time makes it feel authentic. The script for this film is very well written the structure of the film is great makes it not feel like a cliché biopic and the way it explores what it is like to be a genius, what it’s like for the people around him romantically, their friends, fans, and the suits who want to make money off them. The dialogue in the script is great the back and forth between the characters is so much fun to watch one of my favorites being Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash who is clearly hung over taking about how June is with her mama then does a great eye role are great little scenes that add character and personality to the film.

Final thoughts on A Complete Unknown is it is one of the best films of the year that if you can go see it in theaters I feel you will not be disappointed and as I always say if you give artist the space they need to create, back their film with real support you will be rewarded I will give it 4 and half out of 5.