A Complete Unknown (James Mangold, 2024)
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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4
Biopic, Bob Dylan, 1960s, Music
I am a huge Bob Dylan fan and student of his work. As a songwriter and musician, he has always been somewhat godlike, to me. So, I wasn't sure what to think when I heard Timothee Chalamet would be playing him in a film. I love Chalamet but I still thought, "sure, he looks the part and probably can act like Dylan, but can he sing and play like Dylan?" As soon as he started to sing "Song for Woody" near the beginning of the film, I gasped. I knew it wasn't actually Dylan singing and playing, but wow. He nailed it. The intonation, the cadence, the way he emphasized words. I can't really fathom the sheer amount of work involved in learning to play guitar and sing and on top of that, sing like one of the most well-known and iconic people in music history. Truly remarkable.
I was also pleased to learn that Dylan supported the script and choice of actor in Chalamet. And the film itself is really quite good. It's paced well, has lots of great moments and music, and feels immersive. It is a little meandering and there isn't much character development, but that's kind of the point. After all, Dylan has always been enigmatic and mysterious.
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