Director: James Mangold
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy
Certificate: 15
Run Time: 140 mins

A Complete Unknown is the latest by James Mangold after the disappointing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The director returns to the music biopic, a genre he’s proven influential in with the Oscar-winning Walk the Line. Here, Mangold tells the story of Bob Dylan, adapting a 2015 book by Elijah Wald called Dylan Goes Electric! which covers his earliest folk music success to his controversial use of electric instruments at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Mangold co-writes the script with Jay Cocks, his first since Martin Scorsese’s Silence. 

I must confess my knowledge of Dylan’s discography is very elementary. But perhaps that’s a positive because I really enjoyed A Complete Unknown, even if it succumbs to convention, the very antithesis of Dylan’s persona. But straight from the opening scene, Mangold directs the film with a real warmth and energy and I loved the film’s tone. I especially liked its commentary on how genres evolve and how fellow artists support each other, even if that example isn’t followed by the public. It also has plenty to say on what it’s like to meet your idols. The film’s lusciously shot by Phedon Papamichael, and the production design of the 1960s is brilliantly captured. 

Timothée Chalamet is magnetic as Dylan, proving himself ever the versatile actor, with leading roles in Call Me By Your Name, Dune and Wonka. Chalamet completely sells himself as Dylan, balancing his sheer talent while being somewhat impenetrable and unlikeable at times. The actor’s fully deserving of Awards attention. I’d have like to have seen even more development about his earlier life to make him less of a mystery. 

Chalamet’s bolstered by some terrific supporting performances. The standout’s Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, who brings a real warmth to the singer and like Chalamet, also does all her own singing. This is a star-making turn and I hope she gets Oscar recognition. Edward Norton’s great too as the caring and gentle Pete Seeger and Mangold-regular Boyd Holbrook’s unrecognisable as Johnny Cash. 

It may follow a conventional biopic structure, but I still found A Complete Unknown gripping from start to finish, with Mangold at the top of his game paired with many impressive performances. Sometimes, convention is what’s required, if the subject matter and talent behind the screen can make an engaging experience of it, and Mangold certainly does that.