The initial reviews for "A Complete Unknown," the highly anticipated Bob Dylan biopic, have arrived, and critics are overwhelmingly praising the film. Helmed by director James Mangold, the narrative follows Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Dylan, spanning from his January 1961 arrival in New York City to his historic 1965 concert at the Newport Folk Festival. Fresh from Minnesota, the aspiring singer-songwriter is eager to immerse himself in the city's vibrant folk music scene and achieve chart-topping fame. Along his journey, Dylan sparks controversy by incorporating electronic instruments into his music.
Based on Elijah Wald's book "Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties," "A Complete Unknown" is already generating awards buzz. The biopic has garnered three Golden Globes nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
As of Tuesday afternoon, "A Complete Unknown" boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 74% from 58 reviews and a 70% rating on Metacritic from 27 reviews. Chalamet, who also serves as a producer, stars alongside Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy in supporting roles. The film is set to release in theaters on December 25.
David Rooney, the chief film critic at The Hollywood Reporter, describes Chalamet's performance as "electrifying in every sense." He commends the actor's voice, stating that it is "raw, nasal, scratchy, but full of passion, anger, and wry wisdom." Rooney notes that Chalamet's voice is "near enough to the original to be unmistakable yet colored by the actor's persona to a degree that suggests something closer to symbiosis than impersonation."
"Any Dylan fan or anyone with a fondness for the music emanating from New York City during the first half of that tumultuous decade will find ample pleasures in Mangold's expertly crafted film," Rooney writes. "The period recreation is impeccable, and the numerous music performance sequences are nothing short of transporting. The lead actors' own singing, executed with remarkable polish, adds immeasurably to the experience."
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian writes that "Timothée Chalamet's hilarious and seductive portrayal of Bob Dylan makes him the smirking, scowling, and unwilling leader of his generation. His refusal to submit to the crucifixion of folk-acoustic purity is, in a sense, his own crucifixion. Chalamet captures the semi-serious ordeal of someone who is part Steinbeck hero, part boyband star, and part sacrificial deity."
Caryn James of the BBC heaps praise on Norton, who is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. "Edward Norton delivers a sly portrayal of Pete Seeger, who happens to be visiting at that moment and takes Dylan under his wing," James writes. "As the film progresses, Norton excels at capturing the respect tinged with jealousy that Dylan evokes in Seeger. Benevolence turns to rigid disapproval when Dylan's music begins to evolve. Like all the other supporting actors, Norton does his own singing, and he does it impressively."
Brian Truitt, of USA Today, draws a fascinating parallel between A Complete Unknown and Mangold's 2005 musical biography, Walk the Line, stating, "Mangold's latest venture is as engaging and magnetically captivating as his acclaimed Johnny Cash film, Walk the Line. This movie eschews the conventional backdrop narrative—merely hinting at its protagonist's past through a fleeting glimpse of a photo album and letters addressed to 'Robert Zimmerman'—a choice that serves it well. Furthermore, while Chalamet beautifully mirrors Dylan's distinctive nasal tone in timeless classics such as 'Girl from the North Country' and 'Blowin' in the Wind,' his portrayal strikes as authentically himself, steering clear of any tiresome impersonation."
On the other hand, Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com pens that A Complete Unknown "delves into the myriad factors that mold and distort the essence of creativity," painting a vivid picture of the film's intriguing theme.
Tallerico enthuses, "By steering clear of the typical superficial cradle-to-grave narrative employed in biopics, Mangold's film masterfully illuminates a pivotal era in both musical and world history. It beautifully intertwines art and fame, supported by robust performances, an unassuming directorial approach, and seamless editing. As someone who typically scorns the 'greatest hits' formula prevalent in films depicting famous individuals, which often relies on preexisting legends rather than delving deeper, and as an avid admirer of the intentionally cryptic music of Bob Dylan, I confess to having harbored expectations of 'A Complete Unknown' being a predictable disharmony. Yet, akin to how its enigmatic subject has consistently surpassed expectations throughout his six-decade career, this film does the same."
In stark contrast, IndieWire's David Ehrlich offers a more critical assessment, branding the musical biopic as "laudable yet profoundly vexing." He writes, "Mangold strives to buck the predictable, beat-by-beat narrative style that 'Walk the Line' might have conditioned audiences to expect from him. However, he fundamentally lacks Dylan's innate propensity for pushing boundaries (or his contrarian spirit). Consequently, Mangold grapples with portraying Dylan as an enigma without resorting to reducing him to a barren husk—a hollow container for his unparalleled genius. Throughout the film, the musician appears to stumble from one moment of divine inspiration to the next, seemingly as uncertain as the audience about the meanings of his songs or their origins."
