Yasmin Isaacs
A Complete Unknown (2024) is a heartfelt tribute to Bob Dylan, delving into his intricate, electrifying relationships and his rise to becoming one of the most iconic singers and songwriters of all time.
Plot
The film begins in 1961, with Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) moving to New York to meet his idol, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), who was deteriorating in hospital from Huntington’s disease.
During his hospital visit, Dylan encounters Guthrie’s close friend, Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and performs a song he created for the ailing Guthrie, ‘Song to Woody’.
Impressed by his performance, Seeger offers Dylan a place to stay for the night and introduces him to New York’s vibrant folk atmosphere.
Seeger quickly becomes a mentor to Dylan, and exhibits him around the city at concerts and pub shows, where he meets Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), charming her with stories about his past of working in a carnival, as well as his opposing views. Russo and Dylan quickly become romantically involved and they move into together into Dylan’s apartment.
“Seeger quickly becomes a mentor to Dylan”
After showcasing at an open mic attended by industry professionals, Dylan catches the attention of manager, Albert Grossman (Dan Fogler), who immediately offers to represent him.
Shortly after, Dylan begins to work on his debut album, but is feeling pressured by the label to create covers of songs, resulting in the album falling short and Dylan being disappointed and disheartened.
Before leaving on an extended trip to Europe, Russo encourages Dylan to seize creative control over his music and to play music that conveys meaning. Dylan then utilises the social and political unrest of America as his inspiration, leading to him craft socially-conscious lyrics and compelling songs which capture the attention of fellow folk artist, Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), leading to a professional and romantic relationship.
“Dylan uses the social and political unrest of America as his inspiration”
When she returns, Russo becomes suspicious of the growing connection between Baez and Dylan as he becomes more distant, leading to Russo and Dylan’s separation in 1965.
Constraints of the industry
Feeling restricted by his sudden rise to fame, and the expectations of the music industry and the folk industry, Dylan ends up having a disastrous tour with Baez, resulting in him publicly lashing out after Baez encourages him to play his popular folk songs instead of his new material.
Dylan decides to explore music involving rock influences and electrical instruments after experiencing a lack of creative freedom, and gathers a band, sending shock throughout the folk music community.
As headliner of the renowned Newport Folk Festival, Dylan’s plans to unveil his new sound concerns the festival committee. After several attempts to try to dissuade Dylan from playing his new music, Seeger attempts to reason with his old mentee, and reminds him of the potential damage he could do to his career and music legacy.
“Dylan decides to explore music involving rock influences and electrical instruments”
Meanwhile, Dylan invites Russo to the festival to try and rekindle their relationship, but after witnessing a duet between Dylan and Baez, Russo realises she cannot be in the relationship and returns home to New York.
In the closing act, Dylan takes the stage with his electric band, ignoring the committee’s plea. The performance provokes outrage from the audience, who begin to boo and throw objects at the stage, and at Dylan.
As the committee attempts to cut the sound from the performance, chaos ensues, resulting in Dylan reluctantly performing an acoustic encore to the festival.
During the final moments of the film, the audience watches Dylan ride past the festival pack up the following morning before he visits Guthrie a final time. He then leaves New York, riding away on his motorcycle.
Acting in A Complete Unknown
The performances from the actors throughout the film were beautiful. Each character was presented in a unique yet honest manner, and paid tribute to the people that helped shape Dylan’s life and career in a modest yet thrilling way.
Chalamet’s portray of Dylan was magnetic and encapsulated both the brilliance and vulnerability of a tortured artist.
His ability to flesh out some of the iconic and elusive figure of Dylan is testament to his range as a performer.
Barbaro’s portrayal of Baez was just as thrilling to watch as the audience gets to follow her embarking on her own journey as one of the most influential female folk singers, navigating her dynamic relationship with Dylan as well as stardom.
Relationships in A Complete Unknown
The exploration of Seeger and Dylan’s relationship throughout the film is one to be credited. Often overlooked, Seeger significantly shaped Dylan’s musical career and showcased him around New York, gaining the attention of industry professionals. However, the film highlights the importance of Seeger’s mentorship and his guidance to Dylan at the start of his career, with their scenes filled with comradery, tension and wisdom, transforming Dylan from a troubled artist, to the poet and visionary we know today.
“Often overlooked, Seeger significantly shaped Dylan’s musical career”
Another powerful and complicated relationship throughout the film includes that of Baez and Dylan. Their partnership was not just about lust, power, or love – it was also about human connection and finding meaning throughout music.
The film portrays their complex relationship in a respectful manner, highlighting their unwavering support for one another, as well as brutal honesty surrounding the actions of the other individual.
Overall Thoughts
James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown (2024), is a cinematic masterpiece. It unearths Dylan’s complicated relationships and his transformation from a teenager and budding artist, to one of the most popular and significant singers of all time.
The film does not seek to fabricate the raw stories of Dylan, Seeger and Baez and their contributions to the folk music industry. But instead presents them as brilliant, flawed and talented individuals. This much more than a biopic.
Read next:
- FIRST LOOK – BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY TRAILER
- THE HOLIDAY: A FEMINIST STORY WRAPPED IN FESTIVE CHEER
- REVIEW – JOKER: FOLIE Á DEUX
Featured image courtesy of Jefferson Santos on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
