Timothée Chalamet’s transformation into Bob Dylan for A Complete Unknown is already earning rave reviews ahead of its December 25 release date. Directed by James Mangold (Logan, Ford v Ferrari), the upcoming biopic chronicles Dylan’s pivotal rise to fame in the 1960s folk scene, capturing his transition into an electric icon at the Newport Folk Festival. Chalamet stars alongside an impressive cast, including Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, and Monica Barbaro, as A Complete Unknown promises to be a stirring exploration of Dylan’s artistry and personal struggles.
Chalamet is receiving praise from critics and members of the press who have now seen A Complete Unknown. As one of the most anticipated biopics of the year, the film is already generating significant awards buzz, with Chalamet’s performance potentially emerging as a frontrunner for the 2025 Oscars. Check out the reviews below.
Screen Rant interviewer and critic Tessa Smith lauded A Complete Unknown as an “absolutely incredible” film with “unforgettable performances” from Chalamet and the supporting cast. The film left her “in awe.“
We Live in Entertainment Editor-in-Chief Scott Menzel said that Chalamet is “a true tour-de-force” in A Complete Unknown, perfectly encapsulating the singer’s “little nuances and mannerisms.”
Variety editor Clayton Davis refers to Chalamet’s performance as Dylan as “effortless yet focused determination,“ emphasizing the talent of supporting characters Fanning and Barbaro, set design, and costuming, with director Mangold as “one of the best to do it.”
Reporter and host Scott Mantz said that Chalamet was “terrific” in A Complete Unknown with “great music & great performances” from supporting actors Fanning and Barbaro, insisting hat audiences “SEE IT!”
Film writer Tim Gerber praised A Complete Unknown as a “solid biopic” with excellent performances from Chalamet and Barbaro, contending that “Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Costumes are possible.”
Variety editor Jazz Tangcay loved A Complete Unknown and Chalamet’s “superior” performance, particularly praising Mangold’s production team for pulling off a “technical feat from sound, editing, costume, cinematography to production design.”
What The First Reviews Mean For The Bob Dylan Biopic
A Complete Unknown Could Join Some Of The Biopic Greats
Early responses to A Complete Unknown suggest it could be a major awards contender, particularly for Chalamet’s meticulous embodiment of the iconoclastic singer-songwriter, as the leading actor sings all the songs himself. Critics have praised his uncanny ability to reflect Dylan’s vocal tone and distinctive mannerisms. With the help of a strong supporting cast and crew, A Complete Unknown is posed to be another example of Mangold’s ability to elevate biopics into cinematic masterpieces, such as his award-winning Johnny Cash film Walk the Line.
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A Complete Unknown reportedly delves into Dylan’s early years in Minnesota, his rise in Greenwich Village, and the iconic yet controversial decision to “go electric” at Newport in 1965. Mangold is being credited for crafting a biopic that shows exactly why the young Dylan was seen as the voice of a generation during the mid-20th century revival of American folk music.
Our Take On A Complete Unknown’s Initial Reactions
Chalamet Could Finally Get An Oscar
With its Christmas Day release, A Complete Unknown is positioning itself perfectly for awards contention. If the initial reactions are any indication, Chalamet may be on track to tie the record of the youngest person to win Best Actor with his first Academy Award yet. Fans of Dylan and Chalamet alike have plenty to look forward to, as it sounds like A Complete Unknown successfully blends its sound, drama, and stellar performances into a hypotonic cinematic experience, potentially solidifying its place in biopic history.
Source: Various (see above)
A Complete Unknown is a biographical movie that follows a young Bob Dylan as he integrates with New York and catches the eye of the folk singers in the area, eventually propelling him into stardom.
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2024
- Studio(s)
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Searchlight Pictures
, The Picture Company
, Automatik Entertainment - Distributor(s)
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Searchlight Pictures
- Cast
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Timothée Chalamet
, Edward Norton
, Elle Fanning
, Monica Barbaro
, Nick Offerman
, Boyd Holbrook
, P.J. Byrne
, Scoot McNairy
, Dan Fogler
, Will Harrison
, Charlie Tahan
, Jon Gennari
, Norbert Leo Butz - Character(s)
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Bob Dylan
, Pete Seeger
, Sylvie Russo
, Joan Baez
, Alan Lomax
, Johnny Cash
, Harold Levanthal
, Woody Guthrie
, Albert Grossman
, Bob Neuwirth
, Al Kooper
, Stage Manager - Main Genre
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Biography
