Synopsis

Set in the influential New York City music scene of the early 1960s, “A Complete Unknown” follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan’s meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts as his songs and his mystique become a worldwide sensation that culminates in his groundbreaking electric rock-and-roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

Critics Views

“One of the most complex and convincing interpretations of a real-life musician ever seen on film – imagined in places, perhaps, but nonetheless a cool, charismatic Dylan who should strike a chord with all but the most reticent of his followers.” Radio Times

“A near perfect biopic. The screenplay gives a great insight into the early career of Bob Dylan and doesn’t overlook the darker aspects. Timothee Chalamet is brilliant as Dylan while Boyd Holbrook almost steals the show as Johnny Cash”  Subculture Entertainment

Academy Awards Nominations:
Best Sound
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Best Achievement in Directing
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Achievement in Costume Design

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 70%  Audience 74%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 82%   Audience Liked It 95%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 88%

Audience Comments

Excellent performances and singing but I found the sound less than perfect, even allowing for the fact that Dylan tended to mumble at the best of times. If I had been watching at home I would have turned the subtitles on.
Fine performances and direction. Very convincing. Clarity of diction a problem but this is nothing new. Subtitles always welcome if they are available.
Rather boring
I really enjoyed this film and it was the second time I have seen it.
I thought the casting was great. Well produced and concise film. Knew very little about Bob Dylan apart from most popular songs. Will have to have a listen.
Amazing acting from the singers Bob, Joan and Pete
There was a lot of mumbling but the music was, of course, wonderful!
Really enjoyed that, best film this year
Excellent performances, but yet again, a problem with unclear dialogue.
Thoroughly enjoyed this film!!
Great performances and of course great music
Fantastic film!
Thoroughly enjoyed it. The performances and music throughout were great
Excellent entertainment!!!
Entertaining from start to finish
A bit slow in parts – began to find it a bit boring.
I found it difficult to hear much of the conversation but great to hear the songs again.
Found it too long and no real plot or reflection.
Good music and acting – but a bit too long
Fabulous portrayal of the story and times a-changin’ in the music scene and world events. Clever insertion of songs into the storyline so didn’t turn into a ‘musical’ but still gave us plenty of memorable music. Occasional difficulty in deciphering (only) Chalamet’s speech – no doubt overdoing the nasal drawl!
Dialogue not always clear
A bit too long and a bit too loud!
It transported me back to my teens. His music is transformative and exciting.
I really enjoyed the film, in spite of the fact that I thought the diction in the film was not very clear. I do experience this often and if watching television, turn on the subtitles! The music was great and took me back to my youth. I felt quite moved a few times. I shall enjoy it again, when it is eventually shown on television, with subtitles!
Slow start but picked up as it hit going.
Strong performances and excellent sound track (I am Dylan fan). Timothée Chalamet did a lot with little character development on Dylan’s part. Ed Norton a very believable Pete Seeger. Poor decision to relocate the crucial “going electric” from Manchester Free Trade Hall to the Newport Folk Festival but I guess the film would have been even longer if the musical development had not been telescoped.
Overlong could have been 45 mins shorter (making it 1.5 hours)
Couldn’t understand a word of what Bob was saying. Perhaps the sound system but more likely because the actor swallows his words.