Bob Dylan’s influence on music and culture is undeniable, and A Complete Unknown provides a close-up perspective of Bob’s rise to fame. This newly released film explores the ambiguous feature of his persona, blending a sense of reality within the man behind his iconic music. Directed by James Mangold, the movie challenges the audience’s understanding of Bob Dylan, who is played by actor Timothée Chalamet, focusing not just on the public figure, but on the inner struggles and transformations that define him.
A Complete Unknown introduces the beginning, transformative years of Bob Dylan’s career, highlighting the four years leading up to his groundbreaking shift from folk to rock music. The film begins with a young, unknown Bobby Dylan arriving in New York City in the early 1960s, ready to make a name for himself in the city’s vibrant folk scene. Along the way, the movie brings attention to the relationships that shape him, especially his time spent with his idol, Woody Guthrie, and the folk legend Pete Seeger, both of whom influenced his writing and political views.
While the film’s portrayal of Greenwich Village, where Bob initially stayed, felt overly neat and artificial at times, it gradually picks up pace as his story unfolds. The movie showcases his growing confidence as a songwriter, with his early works like “Song to Woody” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” reflecting both personal and political themes that resonate with audiences. The film also delves into Bob’s internal conflict, as he grapples with his identity and the expectations placed on him as a voice for a generation.
One of the most captivating moments in the film is the dramatic shift that occurs when Bob decides to go electric. The film builds tension toward his famous 1965 performance at the Newport Folk Festival, where he shocks the audience by plugging in and playing the electric version of “Maggie’s Farm.” This moment symbolizes not just a change in his music, but also a bold declaration of independence from the folk movement that had once embraced him.
The Newport Folk Festival performance captures the intense backlash Bob faced for his bold move of change, but it also marks a turning point in his career. The film doesn’t just focus on the controversy; it emphasizes the courage it took for him to stand by his artistic choices in the face of overwhelming criticism. The scene is not just about the crowd’s anger but about Bob’s inner strength, as he decides to stay true to his vision, despite the risk of upsetting his loyal fans. The film’s portrayal of this moment, with the audience’s boos and the tension between Bob Dylan and the festival committee, feels like a powerful metaphor for the artist’s struggle against obedience and his determination to break free from the expectations others had placed on him.
Throughout the film, we see Bob battling the weight of other people’s perceptions, from his relationship with Sylvie Russo to the pressure placed on him by the folk music scene. His decision to go electric wasn’t just about creating a new sound—it was about reclaiming control over his own narrative that wasn’t dictated by anyone else. However, A Complete Unknown also reveals the personal costs of Bob’s ambition. The breakdown of his relationship with Sylvie, marked by her increasing discomfort and his detachment, influences the tension between his personal life and his musical career. The more Bob Dylan rises to fame, the more disconnected he becomes from the people who cared about him most. His relationship with Joan Baez, while musically productive, adds another layer of complexity to his emotional world, as the film shows Bob constantly in search of something deeper—both in his art and his personal connections—yet never fully able to find it.
In the final moments, when Bob Dylan rides off on his motorcycle after his last visit to Guthrie, the film leaves us with a sense of uncertainty. Is he truly free now, or has he simply exchanged one set of expectations for another? The journey of A Complete Unknown isn’t just about the rise of a musical legend—it’s about the painful and often lonely path of an artist striving to maintain his integrity and find his own voice.