Note: This article contains spoilers.

The long-awaited Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, was released on Christmas Day 2024. The movie’s debut left the box offices satisfied with its $50 million earnings, and audiences everywhere were in awe of both Chalamet’s performance and the enigmatic legend that is Bob Dylan.

James Mangold directed the five-year-long project which stars Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton. 

The story is based on the book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald.

It follows a novice Dylan from 1961 to 1965 at the genesis of his career. A 19-year-old Dylan arrives in New York City at the film’s start searching for folk singer and personal hero, Woody Guthrie. At this time, Dylan is just a teenager with a passion for the folk genre and a dream to tell stories. He performs his original Song to Woody as a terminally ill Gutherie lays in his hospital bed amazed, rhythmically pounding on the wooden side table for applause.

In this scene, Dylan is first introduced to Pete Seeger, played by Norton. Seeger, a well-known activist and folk singer of the ’60s, is Dylan’s launching pad for success. Seeger is so starstruck by Dylan’s equally effortless and fiery lyricism that he connects him to Columbia Records. 

Dylan is accurately portrayed as scruffy, unpolished, and unapologetically blunt. He smokes countless cigarettes, writes ferociously with pen and paper, and broods in solitude for a good portion of the movie. 

Chalamet’s impersonation of the American icon is truly brilliant, nailing his high-pitched, gritty voice, dark stare, and even long, dirty fingernails (as tortured artists apparently tend to have!). Chalamet’s naturally gaunt stature makes him an even more perfect casting choice. 

The film does a fantastic job exploring Dylan on an intimate level … or as intimately as one could get to this particular musician. An overarching theme throughout the film is Dylan’s elusivity. 

As the story goes on, many questions arise. Who really taught the musician how to play guitar? What was his personal life like in Minnesota before his success? Was he bull-shitting about once being a part of the circus?

The audience is taken into Dylan’s overlapping love affairs, adding an originally sweet, then bitter, then completely perplexing tone. The question, then, becomes: does Dylan care about anybody but himself? 

Dylan’s first girlfriend in the film, Sylvie, is played by Fanning and inspired by Dylan’s real-life ex-girlfriend Suze Rotolo. She is pictured with Dylan on his 1963 debut album cover, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. 

Fanning offers a soft, warm, and supporting touch to Dylan’s life that the star is unappreciative towards and disloyal to. She is also the first figure in Dylan’s journey that shows an intense interest for politics, which later influences his music. 

Another talented young artist of the ‘60s folk genre gets caught up in a whirlwind romance with Dylan during the rise of both of their successes: Joan Baez. The two meet in a dive bar in New York City where both Dylan and Baez first perform to small, smoky crowds. They later go on tour together.

The love triangle subplot between Dylan, Sylvie, and Baez sizzles with jealousy, betrayal, and heartbreak. 

One of the, perhaps, most disappointing (yet badass) moments of the film, takes place when New York City is under nuclear threat. Dylan and Baez are in the city at the time, while Sylvie, Dylan’s current girlfriend, is out of town. Instead of fleeing the potentially doomed state, the two artists high-tail it to the local bar. They have some beer, sing their songs, and make love at Sylvie’s apartment for what could be their last night on Earth. Was Dylan’s cheating scandal evil and horrible? Yes. But was the situation surrounding the affair completely badass? Also, yes.

Another note-worthy scene is Dylan’s breathtaking debut performance of Blowin’ in the Wind, mirroring his real-life release of the song at Gerde’s Folk City in Greenwich Village. The emotional expressions of the audience members show just how impactful Dylan’s lyrics were to American culture at the time. One might say this performance of his early career whispers to his ultimately legendary status.

All of Chalamet’s musical performances were filmed live, which makes A Complete Unknown all the more impressive and magical of a production.

Later on, the biopic seems to prove the widespread thought that, “Dylan was the first punk.” (Punk meaning, the cultural definition: “opposition to authority through behavior and loud music”) The folk-turned-rock musician is consistently indifferent towards the press, and as stated, towards his female relationships. 

Dylan seems to reject the notion that he is any kind of activist, important public figure, or even a folk artist. In fact, he seems to reject the idea of having any kind of public responsibility altogether as he complains while performing at a charity event halfway through the film.

At The Newport Folk Festival, Dylan showcases his biggest act of rebellion, solidifying his hard launch into rock and roll. Although the folk community, including his friend Seeger, hoped for his career to remain in folk, Dylan did not want to be limited. He wanted to make music in whatever form it manifested. 

He confidently sings the lyrics to rock songs Like a Rolling Stone and Maggie’s Farm at the folk festival as audience members shout and throw cans at him in protest. 

He does not seem to mind disappointing the folk community or his producers. His only goal is to let everyone know that he will always make music his own way.

Walking out of the theatre, you’re not sure whether to praise him or curse his name, but I think that is the point. 

What you do know is that you are completely amazed that one guy from nowhere Minnesota single-handedly transformed the music industry and culture forever. 

Dylan wanted to do his music thing and, otherwise, be an unknown … and today he still remains. 

Love him or hate him, Bob Dylan is a music legend.