Get to Know a More Grounded Bob Dylan in New Biopic “A Complete Unknown”
James Oatis
He/Him
Staff Writer
1/6/25
Over the past couple years, one genre of movies that has been catching traction has been biographical films (biopics), starting with 2017’s “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” depiction of Freddie Mercury and Queen to the big screen. The film was a massive hit as it grossed 900 million dollars worldwide. A multitude of films have since been released in Bohemian Rhapsody’s wake, such the 2019 Elton John biopic “Rocketman,” and the Baz Luhrmann “Elvis” film in 2022.
While these films have been successful at the box office, a major problem with these stories has been convincing or realistic writing or character depictions that don’t seem contrived for advancing a film. Biopics like Elvis and Bohemian Rhapsody have unrealistic moments that cause it to feel more like fiction than an accurate biography, such as a fictitious record executive named Ray Foster (played by Mike Myers), in Bohemian Rhapsody, being used as a plot device to create tension.
The recent history of how music biopics have been handled gave me little faith when I saw the trailer for “A Complete Unknown,” a biopic depicting the rise of music legend Bob Dylan. After seeing the movie however, my fears were calmed, as “A Complete Unknown” manages to fix many problems of other musical biopics, while also portraying an intimate and realistic story. The main praise of the film comes not in its use of licensed Bob Dylan classics, but in its fantastic writing and acting. Timothee Chalamet gives one of the most natural performances as Bob Dylan, while the supporting cast of Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, serve as great complements in the film. The highest praise I can give the film is the writing.
An issue with films such as “Elvis,” is the depiction of real individuals, (ex. Colonel Tom Parker in the Elvis film), making conflict seem more unrealistic and fictitious. At times, Tom Hanks portrayal in the fIlm “Elvis” can seem like he is playing a fictitious villain, rather than a more nuanced depiction of the real Colonel Tom Parker.
In “A Complete Unknown,” all characters are fully developed individuals, who have more realistic and deep motives and goals than displayed in other biopics, making it feel less fictitious and more engaging. The only issue I found with the film was, unlike other biopics, “A Complete Unknown” is set from 1961 to 1965, meaning much is excluded in the story of Bob Dylan. Viewers unfamiliar with Bob Dylan who watch the film, may feel his backstory is underdeveloped without outside research.
Even if viewers are not familiar or don’t care, with the story of Bob Dylan, “A Complete Unknown’s” more grounded, yet still endearing depiction of a musical icon, is able to stand on its own as an entertaining story of a songwriters rise to fame, making it a must watch film for Dylan and non-Dylan fans alike.