A Complete Unknown

 

         Co-written and directed by James Mangold (based on the book "Dylan Goes Electric!" by Elijah Wald), this new drama is just sensational (even if you're not that familiar with Bob Dylan). It is magical in it's depiction of a time and place in American history, telling the story of Bob Dylan's rise to fame during the 1960's.

          Timothee Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan and while he may not sing exactly as Dylan, nor look exactly like Dylan, he does a wonderful job of channeling Dylan's essence to the point you believe his portrayal. Beyond Mr. Chalamet, the co-stars are simply terrific as well. Edward Norton plays Pete Seeger without a false note. Elle Fanning plays Sylvie Russo (a renamed version of Susie Rotolo), his girlfriend through most of the early to mid 60's. Monica Barbaro plays Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook plays Johnny Cash, and Scoot McNairy plays an older, sick and debilitated Woody Guthrie. They are all perfect.

         Also co-starring are Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman, Norbert Leo Butz as Alan Lomax, Will Harrison as Bob Neuwith, Charlie Tahan as Al Cooper, Eli Brown as Mike Bloomfield, Ryan Harris Brown as Mark Spoelstra ad Eriko Hatsune as Toshi Seeger. It is really a sensational cast.

        Mr. Mangold and his team faithful recreate the turbulent '60's and multiple performances at the various village clubs and Newport Folk Festival. While timelines may not be exact and situations and people may have been altered to fit the script, for the most part, the film seems a pretty accurate describing Mr. Dylan's emergence in the folk scene and eventually achieving stardom. It culminates in his decision to go "electric" at Newport alienating many of his fans.

        While super fans and music historians may find fault with any inaccuracies, Mr. Mangold has still managed to capture Bob Dylan's mystique and squeeze a great deal of story into a two hour and twenty minute film, anchored by an electric (no pun intended) performance  by Timothee Chalamet.