Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ first reactions praise Timothée Chalamet for delivering “the performance of the year”

21 November, 2024

Timothee Chalamet in 'A Complete Unknown'

The first reactions to Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown have praised Timothée Chalamet for delivering “the performance of the year”.

The movie directed by James Mangold, charts Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic to electric guitar in the mid-’60s and will be released in US cinemas on December 25, with a UK release to follow on January 17.

Chalamet stars alongside Edward Norton (Pete Seeger) and Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo, a fictionalised version of Dylan’s first New York girlfriend Suze Rotolo, who died in 2011) in the film which is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, And The Night That Split The Sixties. 

Members of the press were given early previews of the film with many hailing Chalamet’s performance.

Film critic Scott Menzel wrote: “Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown. A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.”

Variety’s senior awards editor Clayton Davis also praised Chalamet and his co-stars.

He said: “Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination. Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.”

The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood, meanwhile, called the film “superb” and “shockingly moving,” adding: “Chalamet is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin off movie.”

Awards Buzz editor Abe Friedtanzer also said: “A Complete Unknown looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. “

Film critic Tim Gerber agreed. He wrote: “A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is a solid biopic, showing Bob Dylan as a deeply talented individual with a lack of social intelligence. Timothee Chalamet is excellent & Monica Barbaro is captivating as Joan Baez. Oscar nominatons for Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Costumes are possible.”

Not all the the reactions were positive though with Los Angeles film critic Ryan Swen, using Dylan’s lyrics to describe his reaction. “It’s vile and deceitful – it’s cruel and it’s mean. Ugliest thing that you have ever seen,” he posted before adding that the film was “not terrible but often unsuccessful, Chalamet does his best, considerably better in the 1961 section than 1965, frequently incoherent/inaccurate”.

You can view more reactions below:

To celebrate the film, a number of specially-designed posters inspired by Dylan’s most beloved songs have been created, which you can check out exclusively on NME.

Dylan oversaw the project as executive producer and, according to the crew, demanded at least one totally inaccurate moment be included.

Meanwhile, Chalamet learned to play 30 songs in preparation for the film, taking lessons with a vocal coach, a guitar teacher, a dialect coach, a movement coach and even a harmonica tutor.

Recently, the actor also gave a preview of the film by dropping his version of one of Dylan’s most iconic tracks, ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’, originally released on the 1965 album ‘Bringing It All Back Home’.

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