If you’ve ever wondered what happens when Timothée Chalamet is asked to channel his inner eccentric genius, light a million cigarettes, and mumble his way through history, A Complete Unknown is the answer. Directed by James Mangold, this film captures the 1960s New York folk scene with such immersive detail you can practically smell the coffee, angst, and unwashed flannel.
Timmy, playing a young Bob Dylan, is magnetic—equal parts brooding introvert and enigmatic genius. I have no idea if Chalamet actually studied Dylan or just leaned into "weird and aloof," but either way, it works. The way he strums his guitar, dodges small talk, and looks mildly annoyed at life? Peak Dylan. By the time he “went electric,” I was fist-pumping in the theater like I was at a rock concert.
The film doesn’t reinvent the biopic wheel, but it’s got heart—and a hell of a lot of soul. Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez nails the unspoken tension in their duet scenes (their harmonizing had me floating), and Edward Norton’s Pete Seeger is the perfect mix of earnest and exasperated. The music is, of course, the star. You might not know Dylan’s life by the end, but you’ll definitely leave humming.
James Mangold balances the chaos of Dylan’s rise to fame with wacky yet poignant moments. The sound design deserves all kinds of accolades, as the abrupt transitions mirror Dylan’s own scattered genius. It’s as much about performance and perception as it is about the man himself.
Sure, some scenes feel like every introvert’s worst nightmare—a crowded room full of opinions—but A Complete Unknown captures the magic of Dylan’s era and the power of his music. And yes, Chalamet absolutely gave it his all. This might just be his best role yet.
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