Timothée Chalamet's much-anticipated portrayal of music icon Bob Dylan is set to hit screens this Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, with the release of the biopic 'A Complete Unknown.' The film chronicles Dylan’s meteoric rise to fame from the moment he stepped onto the Greenwich Village scene as a 19-year-old artist, facing the trials and tribulations of being thrust under the spotlights of fame.
Chalamet’s adventure of stepping inside Dylan’s shoes has been anything but ordinary. Comparing the experience to running a marathon—one he didn’t know would stretch on so long—he began preparing for this role back in 2019. But like countless projects, the pandemic and associated delays forced this film to take longer than expected, allowing Chalamet to deepen his commitment to brightly embodying the enigmatic musician.
“It was the most I’ve ever taken on,” Chalamet said, reflecting on the rigor of his preparation. His dedication included picking up the guitar and harmonica, as well as training with vocal coaches to shift from the smooth melodies heard in his recent film 'Wonka' to Dylan’s distinctive, gravelly sound. “There’s a finite amount of material available, especially in this period,” he noted, indicating how thoroughly he researched Dylan's early career.
Director James Mangold has ensured the film does justice to Dylan's complex legacy. “This enigma has 26 monologues in the movie—poetic monologues in which he’s giving you everything he feels, and yet for us, it’s not enough,” Mangold said. Chalamet embodies both the inner conflicts Dylan faced—his discomfort with sudden fame and the struggle between artistic integrity and mass appeal.
Set against the backdrop of the vibrant and tumultuous early 1960s, 'A Complete Unknown' brings to life key moments, including Dylan's electrifying transition at the Newport Folk Festival and the fierce backlash he endured from fans and critics alike. Chalamet’s performance encapsulates this tension, showcasing Dylan's complex persona—not just as the aloof musician, but as the thoughtful figure behind the lyrics.
He notes how these moments of preparation felt like stepping onto the peak of his achievements, likening it to reaching “a runner’s high.” And as the film finally gears up for release, Chalamet shares, “I felt like my muscles were strong and I was well prepared.”
Chalamet’s efforts haven't gone unnoticed, as the film has garnered substantial acclaim. Critics predict he may earn his second Oscar nomination for his nuanced portrayal. Alongside Chalamet, the film showcases powerful performances from actors including Edward Norton, who takes on the role of folk legend Pete Seeger, and Monica Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez, adding layers to the narrative of Dylan's life.
“If we can get some people tuning in again, that's probably worth the whole enterprise,” Norton reflects on the film's potential impact on reconnecting audiences with classic folk music and its figures. Barbaro, whose character grapples with her identity as both artist and activist, notes the magnetic connection between Baez and Dylan, helping encapsulate the era's fervor.
Despite the film's retelling of Dylan's life, it does take some creative liberties. Moments like Dylan’s imagined encounter with Woody Guthrie at a psychiatric hospital, rather than its actual occurrence at home, serve narrative cohesion but deviate from reality. “A Complete Unknown” aims to engage rather than exhaust the audience, telling Dylan’s tale through the lens of creativity, passion, and rebellion.
Chalamet’s approach went so deep it even extended to physical transformations, including growing long fingernails like Dylan. Mangold joked about how Chalamet by the end of filming had “some full-on Nosferatu going on,” reflecting the lengths he went to truly inhabit the character.
Perhaps most compelling is the film's music. With Chalamet performing live and displaying perfect timing and delivery, he expressed deep affection for the timeless tracks of Dylan’s era. He learned to play the guitar and adapted his voice to honor the original songs, making every performance resonate.
Bob Dylan himself provided insight on the film’s script but did not interact directly with Chalamet. Nonetheless, he shared his faith in the actor's ability to capture his essence, calling Chalamet “a brilliant actor” who surely embodies “some other me.”
With the release imminent, there’s palpable excitement for 'A Complete Unknown.' Even those unfamiliar with Dylan's legacy find themselves intrigued by Chalamet's compelling performance. The film promises to not only pay tribute to the storied musician but also beckon new generations to explore the music of Bob Dylan.
