I was impressed with A Complete Unknown, and then I wasn’t. Timothée Chalamet is outstanding in this Bob Dylan biopic. He’s got a brilliant way of sharing the nuanced apathy that Dylan seemed to project. And he sure did nail the voice. I mean – no one is going to be perfect, but I would say that his performance is as close to it as you can get.
The supporting characters are interesting. I can’t debate on the historical accuracy of things, I just assume it is all honorable. Ed Norton as Pete Seeger with that dull droning voice – must be good? I mean, he does have kind eyes he doesn’t waste time trying to reform Dylan. Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo – well, she’s adorable but a little more outburst might be more realistic. On the flip side of that we get Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez. I’ve definitely read some criticism of her portrayal, but having nothing to compare it to personally, but she shines with sincerity and a kind of magical magnetism.
The story itself is just a sliver of time, enough to offer the stage for the rising of some of these great poets and artists like Bob Dylan, and remind us how divided the country was at the time. From a larger lens, it’s depressing to see history repeating itself.
I will always think of one thing whenever I hear about this film being nominated or when someone asks if I liked it. The continuity that shits the bed in the apartment scene with Dylan and Baez is unacceptable. The pillow moves behind, beside, fluffed up, laying down, all around. So much that the actual background of him in frame changes color! Like how do you not notice that? And the ladle hanging in the kitchenette, same scene. It disappears and reappears. So I just kept looking for stuff like that. Hate it when that happens.
But okay it’s annoying when people point out these inconsequential imperfections so I’ll end on a positive note. I liked it and most people probably will too. Once again, Timothée is mesmerizing. And it’s still 4/5 stars.