Timothee Chalamet is brilliant in Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’

MANILA, Philippines —  It’s easy to forget that an artist switching their sound during their prime is considered a risk. Take the examples of Shania Twain and Taylor Swift, who shifted from country to pop at a risk of losing some of their core audience. But their transitions to pop propelled them to even greater success.

Once upon a time, though, Bob Dylan didn’t receive the same support from his core audience when he traded folk acoustic instruments for loud electric rock sounds. This move was so controversial that it has its own Wikipedia page, the “Electric Dylan controversy,” detailing his 1965 Newport Folk Festival set, where he received a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd.

Dylan’s biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” directed by James Mangold, depicts that controversial performance at the film’s climax as it ties up its inspiring message of an artist defying audience expectations and refusing to be confined to one box for the rest of his life.

Now showing in Philippine cinemas, the film sees Chalamet playing the iconic singer-songwriter – taking viewers on a journey through Dylan’s rise to fame while navigating personal struggles amid the overwhelming pressures of fame, as he’s not thrilled about constantly being recognized by strangers.

In a wave of recent musical biopics that aim to be larger-than-life like Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” and the CGI chimpanzee-embodied Robbie Williams in “Better Man”, or formulaic and corny like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” based on Whitney Houston, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” centring on Freddie Mercury, Mangold’s film is a breath of fresh air for its intimate portrayal of Dylan and the people around him. Its tone is reminiscent of “Inside Llewyn Davis” starring Oscar Isaac.

Carrying that intimacy is Chalamet’s transformative performance. He completely disappears into Dylan – no trace of Paul Atreides from “Dune” in sight. He’s talented, but kind of an a–h—. He’s socially aware, but self-centered at times. He’s stubborn, for better and worse. But that’s what makes Bob Dylan the icon he is now. There’s little to dispute why Chalamet deserves his Oscar nomination for Best Actor, if not the win.

Chalamet doesn’t carry the film alone. His equally talented supporting cast adds depth to the narrative: Elle Fanning plays Dylan’s ex-lover Suze Rotolo (renamed Sylvie Russo in the film at Dylan’s request), Monica Barbaro portrays Joan Baez, with whom Dylan had an affair, and Edward Norton plays folk singer Pete Seeger, Dylan’s mentor.

Beyond their performances, their characters’ perspectives add emotional weight. Sylvie isn’t comfortable with Dylan’s closeness to Baez on and off stage, while Seeger is conflicted about his protégé’s decision to switch his sound.

The way Fanning, Barbaro, and Norton embody their roles makes the film feel like a collaborative effort, despite its singularly famous subject. Norton and Barbaro’s Oscar nominations are no-brainers, while Fanning’s empathetic portrayal could’ve easily secured her a Best Actress nod.

As Hollywood continues churning out musical biopics with mixed results, “A Complete Unknown” proves that neither gimmicks nor generic plot points are necessary to tell a fascinating story. Thanks to the cast’s brilliant turns led by Chalamet, it delivers a compelling intimate portrait of Bob Dylan’s prime. Four and a half stars out of five.