Film Review: “A Complete Unknown”

Were you there when Bob Dylan went electric?

Director James Mangold pulls back the curtain and brings the riveting story to the screen with “A Complete Unknown.” Based on the book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, this film is a fascinating portrayal of Minnesota’s own legend Bob Dylan, and it’s also a tuneful ode to the power of instruments, songwriting, inspiration and free will.

Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet plays Dylan, and he’s got the look. It’s 1961, and Dylan has made his way from Minneapolis to New York City to visit his idol Woody Guthrie and friend Pete Seeger. The film details Dylan’s meteoric rise in the folk scene, his relationship with Sylvie Russo (based on Dylan’s real-life love Suze Rotolo), his collaboration with Joan Baez (both musically and personally), and it all leads up to that infamous night when Dylan went electric, much to the dismay of his fans and his music label at the time.

“A Complete Unknown” moves at a nice pace that is not too rushed, nor too bogged down, and it utilizes Dylan’s seminal musical catalog to mark key turning points in his career, from his foray into political and socially-conscious lyrics to his rocky romantic relationships. Chalamet gives a truly impressive, dedicated, and detail-oriented performance here. It’s no small task to step into the shoes of such an icon, but he does it with immense skill. You can tell that he closely studied Dylan’s mannerisms, inflections, and yes that unmistakable singing voice. Thankfully, he refrains from over-acting and instead focuses on subtleties, which elevates the performance way beyond a basic impression. Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro also are great in their supporting roles.

Even if you’re not super familiar with Bob Dylan’s story or are not even a fan of his music, there is a lot to enjoy in this film. And for us Minnesotans, I know we all get a little giddy inside when we hear our state getting mentioned multiple times on the screen. Ultimately, “A Complete Unknown” is a tale about the art of taking risks. What happens when you go against the grain? What happens when you follow your heart? Given that Dylan has gone on to become one of the highest-selling and most critically acclaimed artists of all time, it’s worked out pretty well for him.

“A Complete Unknown” is available to rent or buy on all major streaming platforms, and available to stream with your Hulu subscription. 

Zach Murphy is an avid enthusiast of cinema, theater and storytelling. He lives with his wonderful wife Kelly in St. Paul. You can read more reviews at his blog, Fade to Zach.