Bob Dylan didn’t just create renowned music still celebrated today, he became a voice of his generation, a symbol of rebellion and individuality. Based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book “Dylan Goes Electric!” A Complete Unknown is a 2024 biopic following the early years of Bob Dylan. Set in 1960’s New York, the film blurs performance with reality as Timothée Chalamet effortlessly embodies Bob Dylan.
We see 19-year-old Dylan arrive in New York at the height of the American folk revival, surrounded by a sea of musical inspiration. Taken under the wing of Pete Seeger, an experienced folk musician, Dylan is immediately linked to the traditional folk music of older generations.
Bob Dylan’s manager worked as a producer on the film, and Dylan himself had a voice in certain aspects of its creation. Dylan’s faith in Timothée Chalamet and the script’s ability to capture the essence of his younger self is reflected in how Chalamet channels Dylan’s spirit. This makes the character feel more authentic than a typical biographical portrayal.
The soundtrack, in many ways, reaffirms the authenticity of the characters. Dylan’s folk songs provide an atmosphere of soft excitement for the scrappy singer. Performed by Chalamet, these songs underscore fights between him and his girlfriends, montages of his rise to fame, and dramatic rides on his motorcycle. Throughout the film, songs are used to emphasize what words cannot.
Though Dylan is an idol to many, in this film he is depicted as a more complex figure than previous portrayals. We see a black-and-white video of Dylan playing his song “Only a Pawn in Their Game” at a 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington. This and songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. However, the inspiring lyrics of Dylan’s songs clash with the realities of his personal life. The arrogant narcissist that we watched on screen flaunted his fame, humiliated his friends, and disrespected every one of his relationships. Dylan’s ego is the overpowering element of this film.
Through the story, we see Dylan’s flexible relationship with the past. He spins the story that he grew up in the circus, while in reality, he was a college dropout with no such enthralling backstory. Dylan’s girlfriend Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning) takes issue with Dylan’s constant mystique, contrasting with Joan Baez’s (Monica Barbaro) relationship with Dylan, which seems to be built on this intrigue. We see two very different relationships unfold, one rooted in the real world while the other reflects the toxic nature of the music industry.
As the traditional music of folk festivals is left in the past, Dylan becomes a symbol of the rising rock ‘n roll revolution of the ‘60s. We get glimpses of the public view on this revolution through Dylan’s audience reactions at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where he chose to perform with his electric guitar. With a combination of applause and outrage, his audience reacts to the music of the future. Throughout the film, Dylan feels trapped by the expectations of his fans, managers, and supporters. His journey is portrayed as a struggle to stay true to himself and his dreams while grappling with everyone else’s perceptions of him. Ironically, despite Dylan’s desire for individuality, today he is remembered for his early folk songs.