‘A Complete Unknown’ Review Roundup: Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan Captivates Critics Despite Mixed Reception

‘A Complete Unknown’ is an American biographical drama directed by James Mangold, based on Elijah Wald’s book ‘Dylan Goes Electric!’ It explores Bob Dylan’s controversial use of electric instruments at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

The film stars Timothée Chalamet as Dylan and features a cast including Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, and Monica Barbaro. The title comes from Dylan’s song “Like a Rolling Stone.”

The film is set to release in the U.S. on December 25, 2024, distributed by Searchlight Pictures. It was named one of the top 10 films of 2024 by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review, with Elle Fanning winning Best Supporting Actress from the latter. It has also received three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actor for Chalamet.

The review embargo for the movie however has been released, and well, the reactions have been mixed. So let’s take a look at what critics online are saying.

Critic Tim Grierson praised the movie as it highlights Dylan’s mysterious and complex personality.

Following the singer as he conquers the American folk scene, then infuriates it by deciding to ’go electric’, the film manages to illuminate precisely what makes Dylan’s opaqueness so captivating.

Screen International

Nick Curtis also praised the movie for offering a profound portrayal of Bob Dylan, going beyond mere imitation. It captures his influence on music, the cultural shifts he drove, and the broader societal changes of the era.

This is an extraordinary performance, far deeper than an impersonation, that charts the progress of the singer-songwriter, the music scene he entered and altered, and events in the wider world during times that were urgently a’changin’.

London Evening Standard

THR’s David Rooney acknowledges that ‘A Complete Unknown’ shares some strengths with ‘Walk the Line’ but has its own unique flaws. However, Timothée Chalamet’s dynamic and compelling performance is highlighted as a major strength.

The Hollywood Reporter

John Nugent of Empire notes that while the film may not offer groundbreaking insights into Bob Dylan, it remains a well-crafted musical drama with excellent performances.

Anyone looking for a revelatory portrait of an iconic artist might be a smidge disappointed. But as conventional as it is, this is still a strikingly well-made musical drama with pitch-perfect performances.

Empire

Now, onto the bad.

Kevin Maher of Times describes the film to be shallow and lacking depth but clarifies that Timothée Chalamet’s performance is not to blame for its shortcomings.

The failure of this trivial and incurious Bob Dylan biopic is not the fault of the lead actor Timothée Chalamet.

Times

Trace Sauveur says that the film relies on predictable montages to depict Bob Dylan’s life, lacking depth or a fresh perspective.

To harken back to Walk Hard, Bob Dylan may not have to think about his entire life before he plays, but it flies by in routine montage all the same.

AwardsWatch

David Jenkins of Little White Lies argues that while Bob Dylan used his poetic talent to reveal profound truths despite mythologizing himself, director James Mangold fails to achieve a similar level of depth or insight in the film.

Sure, Bob Dylan was no stickler for the truth when it came to concocting his own mythos, but at least through his sublime poetry he was able to revel essential, obscure truths about the world. James Mangold has yet to earn that right.

Little White Lies

The movie currently holds a 73% approval rate based on 41 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

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