Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is poised to take the big screen by storm this Christmas with the release of his biopic, A Complete Unknown. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, chronicles the transformative years of the artist's life from his arrival in New York City at the tender age of 19 up to his polarizing electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Beginning December 25, 2024, A Complete Unknown will be available for audiences across Alabama during showings set to run through mid-January. From Mobile to Birmingham and Huntsville, the biopic's reach spans many local theaters. Details on showtimes and ticket purchasing can conveniently be found online.
The film takes its title from one of Dylan’s most iconic songs, "Like A Rolling Stone." Timothée Chalamet not only plays the lead role but also serves as the co-producer of this much-anticipated biographical drama, which is based on the 2015 book, Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald.
Director James Mangold spearheads the project, detailing Dylan's evolution during the early 1960s as he reinvented himself from Robert Zimmerman, the boy from Minnesota, to Bob Dylan, the icon of rock and folk music. "A Complete Unknown captures an epochal four years − 1961 to 1965 − when Robert Zimmerman morphedinto Bob Dylan of rock immortality," shares Mangold.
The film doesn’t shy away from the controversies surrounding Dylan’s early career, particularly during his electrifying Newport performance, which was met with mixed reactions from his folk music contemporaries. The performance, where he swapped his acoustic guitar for electric instruments, is seen as pivotal moment not just for Dylan, but for the music industry as it signified greater shifts within the genre.
Joining Chalamet are notable actors such as Edward Norton and Elle Fanning, who contribute to the film’s rich narrative fabric. Norton plays folk icon Pete Seeger, and Fanning portrays Sylvie Russo, reflecting Dylan's real-life relationship with Suze Rotolo, whose name was changed at Dylan’s request for privacy.
"Bob read the script and we had four or five meetings... he made himself available whenever I needed," reminisces Mangold, showing appreciation for Dylan’s involvement and trust throughout the filming process. Chalamet’s portrayal has already garnered attention, with critics praising his convincing performances and musical talents.
Even before its release, the buzz around A Complete Unknown has been palpable. Jerry Brindisi, interim director at the Columbia College Chicago’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship, spoke on the film's potential impact on audiences, saying, "Dylan's meteoric rise to stardom and his enduring appeal reflects the cultural zeitgeist of the time. Writers and musicians today can learn valuable lessons from his genius and spirit.”
While the initial theatrical release is set for Christmas, it remains to be seen how long it will take for the film to appear on streaming platforms, including Hulu, which is under Disney’s umbrella. Currently, there’s no word on when or if A Complete Unknown will stream on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Netflix, evidenced by how Searchlight Pictures, the studio behind the film, tends to handle its releases.
Fans eager to see the film are encouraged to catch it on the big screen, where the experience will capture the magic and energy of Dylan's early performances. Expect to hear music from other iconic figures of the era, such as Joan Baez, who is portrayed by Monica Barbaro.
Around the film's impending release, KSL Movie Show remarked, "You will at least appreciate one of the best performances of the year..." emphasizing Timothée Chalamet's compelling depiction of Dylan. The review concluded on the note of the biopic's cultural significance: "It’s harder and harder to see the connections between past music legends and contemporary creativity. I hope through this movie people dig deeply and look back to understand these pivotal times."
With the intersection of art, music, and Dylan's haunting charisma, A Complete Unknown promises to be not just another biopic, but potentially one of the most significant cinematic portrayals of the legendary artist we’ve yet to see. Catch the film this holiday season for a deep, unfiltered glimpse of the man behind the myth.
