A Complete Unknown
Directed by James MangoldIn 1961, an unknown 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York City with his guitar and forges relationships with musical icons on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking performance that reverberates around the world.
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A Complete Unknown Ratings & Reviews
- RyezooFebruary 4, 2025I went in knowing only 1 Bob Dylan song and came out thinking Timmy looks pretty cool smoking cigarettes and wearing sunglasses indoors. This was an interesting look into the artist and enjoyed watching the story unfold. The first half is kinda slow but think it picks up a ton in the back half. Great performances across the board and can definitely understand the nominations.
- Michael SurberMarch 29, 2025Utterly fantastic. Timothee Chalumet absolutely nails Bob Dylan here but he is surrounded by a stellar cast in this one. If you know your music history, this biopic hits all the highlights of his rise to fame. Do not miss it. Even if you aren't a fan already, it is still the best way to spend your next 2+ hours. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
- Scott SeifertMarch 16, 2025Good movie even if it’s 30 minutes too long.
- parktool69April 2, 2025He was silly
- daveg637d agoA true classic.
- Jeff EspinozaMarch 31, 2025I knew nothing about Bob Dylan before watching this and still don’t feel like I know Bob Dylan after watching this. I have no idea what he believed, where he came from or why he makes music. I left feeling indifferent towards him and his music.
- S JohnsonFebruary 27, 2025Not usually a fan of biopics, but this one is very very good—well-cast and beautifully executed. Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton deserve Oscar nods (and maybe even Norton over Chalamet)
- Kevin WardJuly 1, 2025Timothée Chalamet is, in a word… electric. Timothée Chalamet delivers a transformative performance as the enigmatic and iconic Bob Dylan. The film's superb song mixes—whether it's Chalamet singing, digital wizardry, or a seamless blend of both—are absolutely convincing. Monica Barbaro is utterly captivating as Joan Baez, while Boyd Holbrook steals every scene as the rebellious Johnny Cash. The film covers the genesis of his early folk career and crescendos toward Dylan's 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance where he famously ‘went electric.’ The film explores the tension between artistic creativity and commodity. I must admit, I walked away loving the performances but not fully vibing with the film's focus on Dylan's "going electric." However, having sat with it for a while—and struggling through writing my full review—I've come to deeply appreciate what it says about art, artistry, and the forces that try to contain them. It's a compelling exploration of artistry in a culture that increasingly rewards familiarity over innovation, urging audiences to consider their own complicity in stifling artistic growth. The film mirrors Dylan himself in many ways—elusive, challenging, and defiant. Mangold resists the temptation to fully decode Dylan, instead crafting a film that remains as enigmatic as its subject. Like Dylan's bold decision at Newport, A Complete Unknown almost refuses to "play the hits," offering a meditation on artistic reinvention rather than just a 'remake' or 'almost-sequel' of the genre-defining Walk the Line. Whether it resonates will depend on how much you're willing to embrace its spirit of evolution. Plus....Mangold does kinda still get to play the hits, though.
- Rick MastersJune 11, 2025Well it turns out tonight has been a night of discovery… Firstly, the realisation that I know only ONE Bob Dylan song (and it played for all of 10 seconds) and Secondly.. I now know WHY I only know one Bob Dylan song… They’re all dog shit.
- cultfilmlikerMarch 4, 2025So was Bob Dylan NOT on heroin this whole time!? I took everything at face value and didn’t hate it but music biopics are so cliché it’s gotta have something pretty spectacular or at least unique about it nowadays. Just feels like a tough project with the selected cast and characters. That said, I do think the entire supporting cast does a very good job with what they’re given. However, I don’t think Mangold does anything exceptional tho he is adept. Timothee sings great and does a great impersonation but I can’t help but feel Cate Blanchett may have done it better. A nice ending but it doesn’t fully redeem a lackluster film imo
- CaptainBenjaminJune 8, 2025Mid. Educational not very entertaining
- qmechanMarch 6, 2025Chalamet plays Dylan with flair And a grounded performance. How rare! From folk superstar to electric guitar But he lost out to Brody. Unfair?
- darsanMay 22, 2025loved the chemistry between timothée chalamet and monica barbaro and they both had amazing singing voices, monica sounded like an angel and stole the show in every scene she was in.
- FilmStashApril 21, 2025It was an OK watch- just! While I like Dylan’s music, I am not a fan and know very little about him apart from his well known songs. Yet, after watching this film, I can’t say I know anymore - and here lies the centre of the problem with this film. It says zero about a guy driven to deliver a career that expands 55 albums and hugely influences the music of his time. The last bit, I only picked up from the end credit of the film ……., yet another nail in the coffin of this being a biopic about an iconic individual.
- Mr. DMarch 10, 2025Didnt think Timothee had it in him but Awesome atmos audio puts the cherry on top of the excellent performance by the entire cast. Great movie.
