“A Complete Unknown."

“A Complete Unknown” (2024, moviehouse) biographical musical drama, directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jay Cocks. Based on the 2015 book “Dylan Goes Electric!” by Elijah Wald, the film portrays Bob Dylan through his earliest folk music success until the momentous controversy over his use of electric instruments at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Stars Timothée Chalamet as Bob. 

       I must say I enjoyed this movie. My utmost motivation for coming out and in a moviehouse after three or 4 years of not avoiding a public theater is this movie. I wanted to see/hear how Mr Chalamet performed all these Dylan songs by himself. And I wasn't disappointed at all though all a singer needs in interpreting Bob's songs is proper phrasing. Timothee nevertheless sang good as is.

       The real singer here is Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez. Monica delivered the operatic notes as though those songs were written for her. All the actors sang, no lip syncs whatsoever, including Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash.

       James Mangold played it safe. No drug frenzy or flood of booze, that are obligatories in rock star bio-flicks. The central beat is Bob's love triangle with Sylvie (real person: Suze Rotolo) and Ms Baez. And of course the controversy of the “electric Dylan” as the film's climax.

       Nice holiday gift. (Thanks, Cindyrella!) 🎥👍📽