The Complete Unknown (2024)
Director: James Mangold
There’s a scene in this movie where Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) wakes up, grabs his guitar, and softly begins singing “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Joan Baez (portrayed by Monica Barbaro) sits beside him and asks, “Why did you write this song?” Dylan responds, “I don’t know.”
If someone asked me what this movie is about, that would be my exact reply: “I don’t know.”
I didn’t hate The Complete Unknown, but I didn’t love it either. Unlike Walk the Line, another James Mangold-directed biopic, this film falls short in its exploration of its enigmatic subject. While Bob Dylan’s mystique is a central aspect of his real-life persona, the movie leans into this ambiguity without ever grounding it emotionally. It feels like it’s going for a deep dive into Dylan’s psyche, but those poignant moments seem to have been left on the cutting room floor. Instead, we get title cards signaling a time jump, where Dylan shows up in a new mood or phase of life, leaving us to fill in the blanks.
The main plot, as far as I can describe, revolves around the book the film is based on: Dylan Goes Electric. If there’s a deeper meaning to the movie, it’s as elusive as Dylan himself.
That said, Timothée Chalamet delivers a mesmerizing performance as Dylan, capturing his quirks and voice in ways that feel authentic without slipping into caricature. Monica Barbaro is equally compelling as Joan Baez, and their chemistry shines, particularly in the extended, close-up scenes of them performing. Edward Norton, as Pete Seeger, brings a calm and grounded energy to balance the film’s chaotic shifts.
Ultimately, The Complete Unknown is beautifully performed and visually compelling but leaves you wanting more substance—a richer emotional core to match Dylan’s enigmatic genius.
Full movie info:
In the early 1960s, 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. Forming his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement, making a controversial choice that reverberates worldwide.
Release date: December 25, 2024 (USA)
Director: James Mangold
Producers: Timothée Chalamet, James Mangold, Bob Bookman · See more
Budget: $60–70 million
Distributed by: Searchlight Pictures
Based on: Dylan Goes Electric!; by Elijah Wald
