A Complete Unknown

Sorry for the duplication but Bailey talked a little about the movie in a post I had a few weeks ago. I saw this movie tonight…and it was…

I want to get this down while it’s still in my brain. I saw A Complete Unknown tonight. I am very critical of music bios. I saw Queen but all I could do was pick out stuff that wasn’t right and I’m not a huge Queen history fan. So when I say I’m critical I really am. 99 percent of the time I would rather see a well-made documentary. I could watch a documentary on grass growing… but most music bios I’ve seen just make up things or get things completely out of order. This one not so…

Ok on this movie…FANTASTIC. I could just say that for a one-word review. I know Dylan’s early history pretty well up until the 1980s. When the characters showed up, I knew who they were like Bobby Neuwirth who was played by Will Harrison. I will say something out loud here that I don’t usually talk about. I’m not the biggest Pete Seeger or Joan Baez fan but this movie made me appreciate them more and I sure as hell appreciate Dylan more. I have nothing against them personally, I just never got into their music as much but both helped Dylan a lot…that I always gave them credit for. 

Now the actors and actresses, Timothée Chalamet was outstanding and did all of the singing live as they filmed. You have to respect that and it came out great. I knew nothing about this guy before this movie…he really impressed me. Monica Barbaro played Joan Baez and she did all of the singing like Timothee did…she did an incredible job. Edward Norton played Pete Seeger and he had his look and sound down. Elle Fanning played Sylvie Russo, Bob’s girlfriend who was photographed with Bob on the album Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Only one thing was wrong with that….her real name was Susan “Suze” Rotolo. Bob had asked if they would change her name. 

Writer-Director James Mangold said that Dylan had a reason for the change. “Bob talked to Jim a lot about the script, and the one thing he wanted was Suze’s name to be changed in the script because he felt like she wasn’t a public figure, she always wanted to remain a private person. I really held that in my heart, the gravity of Bob’s choice, because they had stayed close until she passed away in 2011.”

Johnny Cash was played by Boyd Holbrook and was right on the mark with him. He came up in pivotable scenes. The movie basically covers 1961 with Bob coming to see Woody Guthrie to Bob playing electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. They also at least got some small appearances from important people. Albert Grossman, Bob’s manager and he would later on manage Janis Joplin and The Band. John Hammond is shown briefly and Dave Van Ronk a folk musician. 

I was worried they would not get the feel of that time. That came off well and the movie would be enjoyed by non-Bob Dylan fans as well as fans. The small details they got right..they found the same kind of microphone for the Newport festivals. When I see them do things like that…I know they have most of the movie correct. No it’s not 100 percent correct but damn close. Because of time restraints, they don’t go into the British Invasion and how that affected him but it does show him playing a Kinks song which I thought was cool. 

Quotes

  • Bob Dylan: I don’t think they want to hear what I want to play.
  • Johnny Cash: Who’s they?
  • Bob Dylan: You know, the people who decide what folk music is or isn’t.
  • Johnny Cash: Fuck them, I wanna hear you. Go track some mud on somebody’s carpet. Make some noise, B.D.

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The Making Of

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

67 thoughts on “A Complete Unknown”

  1. Pingback: A Complete Unknown – MobsterTiger

    1. Thank you for this excellent review of the movie. I have a much less flattering review the other day and have been waffling on seeing it. However, just today my wife said let’s go see it this week! I feel better prepared now.

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      1. I didn’t have a good feeling a few weeks ago but my son got a sneak peak a few weeks ago and he reallly liked it…I have to say I do as well.
        They didn’t try to cover a long period of time…which works in it’s favor.

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  3. I just don’t get the name-changing stuff. Dylan fans will know her real name; others wouldn’t know the difference. So how can using a pseudonym preserve her privacy, especially if she is dead?

    I read another review and it mentioned a few other things that didn’t really happen that way. Could still be a good movie, though.

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    1. Yea I get what you are saying about Suzy…I mean it wasn’t like she was a known name at the time or ever. If she would have been alive I would have got it more.
      There are a few things but not too much. Somethings they don’t mention because of lack of time.

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  5. The movie came up in conversation at a family dinner last night so this is very timely Max. I think you have likely forgotten more about Dylan than I actually know. So if this biopic has your seal of approval that carries a lot of weight. My best friend is the one who introduced me to Dylan when we were teenagers, so this is something I would love to watch with him but distance makes it unlikely. It’s been years since I was in a movie theatre, but I am much more motivated to see this film.

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    1. Believe me we don’t go a lot. The last movie I saw was The reissue of the Exorcist a couple of years ago. This one got me out.
      The few things they got wrong is not a big deal…and I’m huge about changed history.

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  6. I was hoping by chance you had seen the movie and done a review and low and behold here it is! I too was confounded why they hadn’t used Susan Rotolo’s name in the movie. So thanks for clarifying why Dylan didn’t want to.
    Given your in depth music knowledge of this era and Dylan’s place in it, I was relieved you held ‘Complete Unknown’ in such high regard despite your scepticism of biopics.
    I am still pi&%ed-off it’s not coming out here in the foreseeable future. Of all the movies not to release in Colombia and they chose this one.
    Your article was a cool read Max and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this much anticipated movie.

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  7. Having deplored the previous Dylan movie “I’m Not There” which used six actors to play Bob, one of which was a woman, I longed for the day when we would see a move conventional and less pretentious attempt. My hope was for a film from which I would leave the theater smiling and full of joy after seeing a presentation of music that I love so much and a man who I greatly admire despite his extreme quirkiness.

    Well, I got just that and loved every minute of it. My wife, a much more casual Dylan admirer than me loved it as well. She just didn’t understand how my emotions led me to joyful tears several times throughout the film. Seeing such precious songs being birthed was a beautiful experience.

    The movie is fantastic! The music, setting and acting are all brilliant. Both Timothee Chalamet as Dylan and Ed Norton as Pete Seeger deserve Academy Awards nominations. And purists need not worry, hearing “Judas” yelled at the electric Bob and other tiny historical tweaks won’t ruin it for you.

    I can’t wait to see this again and get to purchase it on Blue-Ray. If you go see it now I the theater, you will likely see the preview for the upcoming bio of British Pop singer Robbie Williams. Those who may choose to complain about. “A Complete Unknown” can be thankful that at least Bob was not portrayed by a chimp!

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    1. As I said Mike…I’m more about documentaries but I was NOT prepared for what this movie did to me. It floored me. I am picky on historical things and I whispered to Bailey that he did the Judas moment….that was the next year on his UK tour…I think…and I could be wrong but it was at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester I think!
      ‘
      That is funny on the chimp! I didn’t see that preview….we went to Clarksville near Austin Peay where my son is finishing up.

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    2. Mike I understand about the happy tears throughout. It was like time traveling and watching him live. I was just a toddler in 1961. I agree about the nominations for both guys and also think needs a nomination for best film. Didn’t know if all of the quotes in there were really said by Bob. I’m actually embarrassed to say I didn’t know his first big “going electric” was at Newport. I thought it was during the European tour with who became known as The Band.

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  12. I’m glad you got to see it and that it lived up to your expectations. I’m not that big of a Bob Dylan fan so it’s not one I have to see but I probably will watch it if it comes to Netflix or a streaming service we have. The small time frame probably was wise of the makers. As it happens I was reading ‘Time’s year end magazine yesterday and they picked it as the year’s 5th best movie, which surprised me some as they tend to go for works that showcase…’under-represented’ sectors of society. They felt that the ‘women’ in it stole the show from Bob though; guess I need to see it to judge if they are right.

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    1. Uh no…the women didn’t steal it so I disagree with that. They added to it is the best way I would put it…they WERE wonderful…both the characters of Joan and Sylvia… everyone had their person down.
      When Bobby N. …Bob’s friend appeard on the screen…before the audience knew who he was…I told Bailey…thats Bobby! He gave me a “how do you know” look…I said son…I know the history.
      Dave…you don’t have to be a Dylan fan at all…it’s just as much a love story as anything else…I said this with Rocky as well!

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      1. that’s the thing with most great artists (musicians included obviously)- usually they’re interesting people and seeing how they came to be known and what they’re about makes for a good movie

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      2. And throw in one of the most pivotal moment in rock history…when he played Newport electric…and Cash egging him on.
        It was much more closer to the truth than the Queen one was….because they concentrated on 4 years… not his whole career.

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      3. I wonder if anyone is planning one on Springsteen? He seems an obvious choice for a big budget biopic, but then again it’s possible he might be a bit like Billy Joel when it comes to that. One interviewer asked Joel if he thought they’d make a movie about him and he said ‘no, that would be a boring movie.’ someone like Madonna, even if you don’t like her, you figure is going to be an interesting story of manipulation and who knows what , some stars seem like they would just be kind of ordinary people living ordinary lives other than being famous and successful.

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      4. Yes…Ive heard about one coming from Springsteen. Like I’ve told other people…just ask the people who were near them NOT them. You won’t get an honest story. Like Anthology…that was whitewash per McCartney.

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      5. They had some killer lines in the movie, and I have to wonder whether Bob really said those things. One in particular when he describes Joan’s music (I won’t include it here because to me it’s a spoiler.)

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      6. Cash had a some great ones in it. Oh yea! I know that one. From the interviews I have seen and read…him and Bobby Neuwirth could be very vicious….think John Lennon on his worse day.
        It would not surprise me if he said that.

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      7. Max, I agree that the women didn’t steal the movie. Chalamet is THE star. I did think they may have given “Sylvia” a little too much screen time. What are your thoughts on it?

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      8. I was wondering why they changed her name…but I think he was really serious about Suze…with Joan it didn’t last long. Thats the only thing I can think of. He was really quiet about that and other relationships.

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    1. You don’t have to be a Dylan fan to enjoy this…thats how I was with Queen…I like Queen but I’m not a huge fan….but I enjoyed the bio…I just hated the things they got wrong.

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  14. I remember when Gary Busey sang in The Buddy Holly Story. It was considered a big deal and added a certain authenticity. (I guess we could argue which is more authentic – the real voices of the subjects or the actors giving their all to the role; but since the actors are the ones doing the talking, I’d argue for them singing if they can do it.)

    Thanks for the review. This sounds like one to see.

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    1. I think you will like it. I’m super critical of these things…and I really am of the four Beatle movies coming out…I almost dread it unless they get it right.
      They concentrate on such a short period of time in this…that they got it mostly right.

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      2. The guitar and mic were perfect…I have to check on the motorcycle. I was so impressed that they had Hammond and Van Ronk in there…if just for a few seconds.

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  15. When Bobby plays that first song for Woody Guthrie in the hospital, and I realized Timothy Chalamet was singing AND playing real guitar, I knew my Dad and I were in for more than I paid for. This movie is special. Am enjoying your thoughts about it. I noticed that microphone!👌

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    1. I totally agree. I was NOT prepared to be floored by this movie…for me is when he started to play Girl From The North Country….the actress playing Joan did a great job as well.

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    1. Thank you so much! I will check that out. I haven’t read as much about him as other artists like The Beatles but I want to check that out. It was a turning point in music history.

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  17. now I have to see this…I agree on Queen, I was lucky enough to see Queen when I was still in high school..the Killer Queen tour, and have refused to see the bio-pic….Dylan, yeah, sure…and now I’m wonder who’ll be next, Bowie?……..but then I thought, Echoes in the Canyon was a highlight for me, it’d be interesting for someone to just do the same for other scenes of that era in other locations…

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    1. Wow…you saw Queen! I would have loved to see the real deal. I’m surprised Bowie hasn’t been done yet!
      I’m a huge Beatles fan…so I’m kinda dreading the 4 movies coming out about them. Their history is so well known…you would think they would get it right.

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      1. agreed. I can’t remember the name of the movie, but I remember one about the young Beatles time in Hamburg….that was well done. I’d love to just see one movie with all the live stuff in one documentry.

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      2. Oh…it was a movie by Dick Clark Productions…the music was done by a group called Rain…and the TV movie was called Birth of the Beatles. For the time period it was pretty good.

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      4. For some reason I never think about that movie and I should… yea that one was about Stuart Sutcliffe and what affect he had on them.

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  20. Sounds cool – I should see it sometime. I wasn’t so keen on the Queen biopic. Queen were already well on their way in the UK before BoRhap, so it was weird they made it into a make-or-break moment. Killer Queen (the single) and Sheer Heart Attack (the album) both made it to #2 in the UK.

    The Elton John biopic from the same time had some creative moments.

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    1. Like I said…I would rather see a well made documentary but this is close. They got a few things wrong like the “Judas” moment didn’t come until the following year in England but on the most part it was fantastic.
      I think what helps this movie is it’s not a cradle to the grave movie…it’s just about 4 years.

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  24. I finally watched the film this afternoon. While I’m not a Dylan expert and, as such, cannot say to what extent they took creative license with the details, overall, I thought the acting was outstanding. I thought Timothée Chalamet was particularly impressive, as were Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton. Elle Fanning and Boyd Holbrook were great as well. I was really impressed how each of the musicians learned their respective parts. I can definitely see myself watch the film again when it becomes available to stream.

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    1. Christian…the reason I never favored the Queen one was because they made so many creative license decisions… on this one. I can only find one that is wrong…when he says “Judas” at Newport…that happened a year later…the other stuff is quite right! They did that to show what happened…but they got most of this right!
      Glad you saw it and liked it!

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  25. I’m not the greatest Dylan fan – I have some favourites of his, mostly a few of his very early songs and a few from very much later, and I tend to enjoy his music sung by other people more than by him, but despite all that, it’s a film I’d quite like to see.

    My only experience of Timothée Chalamet is from having watched him (fairly recently) in a very weird movie called ‘Bones and All’ in which he plays a cannibal! But I’ve seen a few clips of him in the Dylan movie and it looks like he’s really captured the man.

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    1. Bailey went to a sneak peak event and met Chalmet and he talked to everyone there. The movie is pretty good Val. I thought they stuck to the story much more than some others. The one lady that played Baez has her down as well…in looks and sound.

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