A Complete Unknown (2024) | Our first guest reviewer, Michelle, brings us her review of A Complete Unknown, nominated for Best Picture. If interested in reviewing, shoot me a message. #jackmeatsflix...

Review of A Complete Unknown (2024)

Going in, I’ll admit to not knowing much about Bob Dylan aside from a few of his songs and that he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. I had no idea that he had been romantically involved with Joan Baez, nor that he carried on a lifelong friendship with Johnny Cash.

 

This film did an excellent job of bringing Dylan‘s career to life right in front of our eyes. Showing that at a young age, he was very passionate about folk music. Legendary folk artist Pete Seeger sees something in him and brings him to meet Woody Guthrie, who is Dylan‘s idol. Guthrie immediately recognizes Dylan’s genius.

 

The film portrays Dylan as not an easy person to deal with, and since Dylan himself was involved in the film, and approved of it and its star, I would say that portrayal was pretty accurate. The longing of an artist to break free from the box he has been put in is at the heart of this film. The folk music community was very steadfast in their adherence to the tenets of the music, one of them being the use of acoustic instruments. When Dylan begins to branch out with different interpretations of the genre using electric guitars and the organ, it ruffles feathers. His performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival changed music forever and catapulted Dylan to fame beyond the folk music scene. The portrayal in the film was an electrifying moment.

 

Timothee Chalamet‘s performance was deep and soulful, and at times very funny. Doing his own singing, guitar and harmonica playing made for an authentic immersion into the character. Also, impressive was Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, doing his own singing and banjo playing (I learned Norton had a background with the banjo from clown school!). I must also mention Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash. I thought he did a fantastic job. He did his own singing and playing as well. The aspect of his friendship with Dylan added a lightness to the film and showed Dylan‘s playful side.

 

If you’re a fan of biopics, or even if you’re not, this film is definitely a must-see. The spotlight on folk music as a vehicle for social justice is very appropriate to our current times. This film helps in further cementing Bob Dylan‘s important contributions to music and to the causes of the world.

 

Blessed Be,

Michelle Stockard Miller

 

Horror Writer, Witch, Avid Reader, Cat Lover, Owner of a Massive Library