Many of the giants of cinema have tackled the legend and myth of the enigmatic Bob Dylan: D.A. Pennebaker, Martin Scorsese, Todd Haynes, John Hillcoat and more, but arguably no one has tracked his early days dramatically, as well as James Mangold in “A Complete Unknown.” An incredible accomplishment of craft and a remarkable portrait of a young fan refusing the dogma of his time, Mangold’s film is a masterful look at arrivals and departures, both artistically, emotionally and spiritually (read our review; we also named it one of the Best Films Of 2024).
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As seen in the trailer, “A Complete Unknown” tells the story of Bob Dylan, from his pilgrimage to New York to his exit from the folk scene that made him famous but seemingly wanted to own a piece of his soul. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morgenfield, Will Harrison, and Scoot McNairy. “A Complete Unknown” is directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the script alongside Jay Cocks.
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“A Complete Unknown” arrives in theaters on December 25 via Searchlight Pictures. You can watch the final trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
New York, early 1960s. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. As he forms his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement and, refusing to be defined, makes a controversial choice that culturally reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.
