Timothée Chalamet Stars as Bob Dylan in James Mangold's 'A Complete Unknown'

The biopic explores Dylan's early career and his controversial transition to electric music, but reviews highlight mixed execution and niche appeal.

The film, directed by James Mangold, focuses on Bob Dylan's rise in the 1960s folk scene and his pivotal decision to 'go electric' at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Timothée Chalamet portrays Dylan, performing live vocals and playing guitar and harmonica, with some critics praising his dedication while others found his portrayal emotionally detached.
The movie highlights Dylan's relationships with key figures like Joan Baez and Pete Seeger but has been criticized for sidelining the women in his life and assuming prior knowledge of folk music history.
Bob Dylan himself acknowledged the film, calling Chalamet a 'brilliant actor' but has reportedly not watched the movie, consistent with his history of avoiding media about himself.
Critics are divided on the film's overall impact, with some praising its exploration of artistic tension and others finding it formulaic compared to more innovative recent biopics.