Timothée Chalamet’s performance in “A Complete Unknown” is the only aspect of the film that makes it worth watching.
“A Complete Unknown” is a biopic about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and his folk music success, which turns into controversy when Dylan chooses to make and perform rock music.
While an artist’s struggle of being bound to one genre of music appeals to some, it didn’t provide me with a fulfilling movie experience. Instead, I left the theater thinking, “What was the point?”
What worked
While the film lacked the answer to the question “so what?” there is no denying Chalamet’s performance as Dylan was nothing short of breathtaking.
I’ll be the first to admit: I never liked Chalamet. I used to think he was overrated and didn’t deserve to be every filmmaker’s go-to actor. But after seeing this film, I’m now on team Timmy. Chalamet was able to transform his vocals to sound almost identical to Dylan’s. This is by far the closest any actor has come to resembling a singer’s voice.
Chalamet also captured Dylan’s mysteriousness. Dylan is known for flying under the radar and out of media attention.
While Chalamet captured that essence, I can’t help but come to the conclusion that that’s what contributes to the lack of depth.
What didn’t work
If I’m watching a biopic, I want my questions answered. I want to know the deep, dark secrets that artists have been hiding from the spotlight or at least controversy explained.
While Chalamet did an excellent job portraying Dylan, there is no depth to the character. In fact, his entire struggle is that he feels bound to one genre. I think to myself, “So what? That is your BIGGEST problem?”
While Chalamet gave a phenomenal performance, his acting couldn’t save the fact that much of Dylan’s life is unknown—making it difficult to connect to the story.
Because the entire basis of the movie is about his genre struggle, two hours and 20 minutes is WAY too long. The film needed to be cut down because in no world should it be longer than two hours. For example, the scenes where Chalamet is singing could’ve been cut down because no one wants to hear an entire song in one scene. That’s why movies only use PARTS of songs.
But what I really have an issue with is the recurring instance of women being side characters to the men. They are included just to further serve the man and his story, but in reality, the women in this film happen to be the two people who had a great influence on Dylan.
The first is Suze Rotolo, whose name was changed to Sylvie Russo in the film, played by Elle Fanning. Rotolo was Dylan’s girlfriend from 1961-64, which is when the film takes place.
Rotolo was an artist and activist who inspired Dylan’s music at the time including “Masters of War” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”
While she introduced Dylan to activism and the Civil Rights Movement, the film portrays her as a drag to be around, using her character to only further Dylan’s story.
The second woman is Joan Baez, portrayed by Monica Barbaro, who Dylan dated and toured with in the ‘60s. She was a singer-songwriter and activist, even creating music that included protest songs.
In “A Complete Unknown,” she was portrayed as someone who Dylan occasionally had intercourse with and sang with on tour.
But, Baez had a following before Dylan came along and she even helped him further his career by introducing him to larger audiences and collaborating with him musically.
These two women were portrayed as people along for the ride, taking a backseat to Dylan’s life. In reality, these two women made Dylan who he was at the time.
The verdict
I’m tired of seeing women portrayed as side characters with no depth when the story wouldn’t exist without them.
Additionally, the main character himself lacked depth. His biggest trial was about making music in different genres, which is wild the whole movie surrounds that point. That’s not a struggle. That’s a privilege to have that decision and ability to make whatever kind of music you want—and people still buy it.
I’m rating “A Complete Unknown” 2.5 out of five stars. It’s worth watching if you’re a Timmy stan or want a surface level depiction of a mysterious man. While Chalamet’s vocals were impressive, I’d wait to stream this one at home. It would be more worth your time to watch a documentary on Dylan, rather than invest over two hours on a film that leaves you with more questions than answers.
