Writer-director James Mangold was taken by the currents of A Complete Unknown – of Dylan the iconoclast, the relationships surrounding him, and his specific rise to stardom in a four-year span. “This is a story about a specific moment in a person’s life, not their whole life. And it is about a world where so much is communicated with song.”
REVIEW: A Complete Unknown offers a comprehensive look at Dylan’s early career and his lasting legacy. It captures a transformative period in music history, particularly the 1960s, when Bob Dylan’s shift from folk to rock had a profound impact on the genre. The film highlights Dylan’s role in shaping the cultural landscape of the time, influencing not just music but also social and political movements. It showcases Dylan’s evolution as an artist, providing insight into his creative process and the courage it took to defy expectations and pursue his artistic vision. Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Bob Dylan has been widely praised. Critics have noted that he “channels Dylan in looks, sound, and attitude” without resorting to mimicry. Chalamet’s portrayal captures Dylan’s “slouched posture, mumbling voice, and stoic attitude”, making it feel like Dylan himself is on screen. James Mangold’s direction has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Mangold recognized that Bob Dylan’s story required a unique approach. Given Dylan’s enigmatic and transformative persona, a conventional biopic would indeed fall short. With A Complete Unknown, which Mangold co-wrote with Jay Cocks, he brings his extensive experience from 19 diverse films. His ability to traverse various cinematic genres while maintaining a strong humanist touch makes him the right director to capture the essence of Dylan’s journey.
What interested Mangold about this time in Dylan’s life were the personal questions the material raised – notions of inherent genius and talent which certain artists are simply born with – and the blessings and burdens of that talent which can, at the same time, make you wildly popular yet utterrly alone.
The Complete Unknown offers a fascinating exploration of Bob Dylan’s rise to stardom amid the cultural upheavals of the 1960s. The film captures the essence of a young Dylan as he navigates the burgeoning folk music movement, interacts with influential figures, and transitions from an unknown vagabond to a rock-and-roll icon. James Mangold’s vision delved into Dylan’s relationships, his electrifying musical evolution, and the turbulent times that shaped his ascent.
The backdrop of events like the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Civil Rights Movement provides a powerful context for Dylan’s journey, highlighting the intersection of music, celebrity, and culture. With Mangold’s previous successes in the music biopic genre, partculalry his 2005 film Walk the Line. It’s no surprise that he brings a unique and humanist perspective to Dylan’s story, avoiding the conventional biopic approach.
The early 1960s in the United States was indeed a time of significant transformation. The nation was grappling with various social, political, and cultural changes. Anti-war and civil rights activism were at the forefront of this period. The arts scene, especially in lower Manhattan, was thriving with modern jazz by Miles Davis, the daring comedy of Lenny Bruce, and the pop art movement led by Andy Warhol’s Factory Studio.
Within this vibrant environment, the folk music movement, spearheaded by figures like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, was gaining momentum. Young Bob Dylan arrived in January 1961, guitar in hand, ready to make his mark. He was embraced by a movement that unknowingly needed a leader, setting the stage for his rise to fame.
Mangold’s A Complete Unknown captures this pivotal moment in time, highlighting Dylan’s emergence within this dynamic cultural backdrop.
Dylan’s journey from an unknown musician to a rock-and-roll icon reflects the broader societal shifts and artistic explorations of the era. This portrayal offers a nuanced understanding of Dylan’s ascent and the cultural landscape that shaped his music and legacy. It’s a fascinating exploration of a transformative period in American history and the arts. Dylan’s influence and enigmatic persona, coupled with his refusal to conform to artistic norms, make this film a captivating portrayal of an iconic figure whose timeless songs continue to resonate across generations.
Dylan’s ascent indeed came at a pivotal moment in history, with the Cold War casting a shadow over global affairs. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of catastrophe, followed by the tragic assassination of JFK in 1963, which deeply impacted the nation. Amidst this turmoil, the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, exemplified by the 1963 March on Washington, where Dylan performed just before Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
This period marked a clash between old norms and emerging ideals, and while many took to the streets, Dylan channeled his beliefs into music that resonated with a generation. Over the next six decades, his status as an iconic figure solidified, with his timeless songs and lyrics being reprised by artists across genres.
Despite his influence, Dylan has remained an enigma, refusing to be confined by artistic norms. His ability to defy expectations and continually reinvent himself has kept him relevant and intriguing to the culture at large.
Mangold’s A Complete Unknown captures this multifaceted journey, portraying a time of intense social and political upheaval and the rise of a musical legend who has left an indelible mark on history. While evoking these specific cultural moments in Bob Dylan’s life, A Complete Unknown aims to have universal appeal as well. Like Dylan himself, its power lies in connecting across generations.
Mangold felt fortunate to spend time speaking with Dylan throughout the screenwriting and pre-production process. One thing that became clear to him was the burden of what to do with your dream once you’ve manifested it.
“You can be really good at writing songs and you can be really good at recording them, singing them, and playing them,” he says. “But that doesn’t make you necessarily good or receptive to what stardom or fame brings, or the burdens of putting a shine on and being available to millions of people who love you, hate you, resent you, or have expectations for you.”
For Chalamet, it was an opportunity to study and absorb one of the most consequential figures of all time, and to perhaps even leverage his own connection with today’s audience to expand that imprint all the more.
“Lots of things are inspired by Bob without people really knowing about it,” Chalamet says. “So, this is like a humble entreaty to create a bridge to Bob Dylan, for not only a younger audience but for audiences that don’t know him.”
Producer Heineman adds that while a younger audience might not be as familiar with Dylan as an older audience, they can definitely be galvanized by the tale of a self-made success story. Dylan’s lyrics resonate as much now as when they were written in the 60s and are often covered and performed by artists inspired by his timeless songwriting.
“It’s not just about Bob Dylan,” Heineman says. “It’s about the birth of an artist. It’s about someone, as Bob would say, creating themselves, and I think it’s universally inspirational to people that if you have a dream, you can manifest it.”
To Mangold’s early point, A Complete Unknown represents just a sliver of Bob Dylan’s life and times. But it’s a thematically resonant sliver that gives insight into how a star was born and how a culture shifted. Dylan’s controversial set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival incinerated barriers between genres and generations. It popularized folk rock in an instant and marked a stark divide between yesterday and tomorrow. His August release that year, Highway 61 Revisited, featuring the anthem of the era “Like a Rolling Stone,” went on to be counted among the greatest albums of all time. In 2023, he released his 40th studio album, showing no signs of fading from the rock-and-roll culture he helped to create.
Producer Jeff Rosen, Bob Dylan’s longtime manager, played a crucial role in bringing A Complete Unknown to life.
The journey began with Rosen optioning Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties. This book captures the significant moment in 1965 when Dylan shocked the world by performing with an electric band at the Newport Folk Festival.
Collaborating with Oscar-nominated screenwriter Jay Cocks, they adapted Wald’s book, creating a foundation for this cinematic project. In 2018, Searchlight Pictures and a creative team, including James Mangold, Timothée Chalamet, Fred Berger, Alex Heineman, Bob Bookman, Peter Jaysen, Alan Gasmer, and Rosen, came together to bring Dylan’s iconic story to the screen.
This collaborative effort promises to provide a deep, nuanced look into a pivotal moment in music history, showcasing Dylan’s groundbreaking shift to electric music and the cultural shockwaves it created.
Mangold’s collaboration with Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown adds another layer of excitement to the film.
Chalamet, fresh off his critically acclaimed roles in Call Me by Your Name and Dune, brings a dynamic presence to the project. Although he initially knew little about Dylan beyond his iconic status, Chalamet was drawn to the role because of the complexity and depth of Dylan’s character.
Mangold, recognizing Chalamet’s intuitive acting skills and charismatic presence, saw the potential for a powerful creative partnership. This synergy between director and actor promises to deliver a nuanced and engaging portrayal of Bob Dylan, capturing the essence of the musician’s journey and the turbulent times that shaped his rise to fame.
Chalamet’s commitment to understanding and embodying Dylan’s multifaceted persona, combined with Mangold’s vision and experience, sets the stage for a compelling and memorable film. It will be fascinating to see how Chalamet interprets and brings to life the enigmatic and influential figure of Bob Dylan.
“There are two versions of a Bob Dylan movie you could make,” Chalamet says. “You’ve got a version that is a behavioral master class on a guy who didn’t really make eye contact that ofen and the mystery that surrounded him, or you do something that could be disingenuous to his life and work, a greatest-hits compilation that sort of ignores the fact that his career wasn’t a straight trajectory. Jim was quick to walk a fine line between demystifying Bob and not doing a sycophantic thing.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent industry strikes in 2020 caused delays, but this period allowed Chalamet to delve deeper into his role. The extended preparation time helped him understand Dylan’s character and improve his proficiency as a musician and singer. This immersion in the role, as Chalamet describes, led him to fully embrace the persona of Bob Dylan.
“Once I was in it, there was no coming back,” Chalamet says. “I was fully in the Church of Bob.”
Chalamet’s dedication and Mangold’s vision promise a compelling and nuanced portrayal of Dylan, capturing the essence of the musician’s enigmatic and influential journey. He had his work cut out for him.
For Mangold, there was no version of A Complete Unknown that didn’t feature actors doing their own singing. Mangold built off the rapturous response to the real vocals of Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon as Johnny and June Carter Cash in Walk the Line as performers whose on-screen portrayals were steeped in the authenticity of live recordings.
A Complete Unknown is a film about music that is unadorned and authentic.
Mangold’s vision for these kinds of films is to avoid falling victim to facsimile while striving toward something more transcendent. He knew that as a spectator, feeling could best come through live performance in the way that Dylan himself won over his fans for decades on the road.
Says Mangold: “I didn’t want Timmy to disappear. It’s a performance. I wanted Timmy to bring who he is
to Bob. If it becomes just a series of mannerisms and vocal impressions, there is no one really there.”
Adds producer Heineman, “As Jim would put it, you have to create your own version of the character. You
can’t just do mimicry or try to create exactly who the person is. So, while Timothée studied Bob tremendously and obviously learned the music and everything about the world that Bob lived in, he also created his own version of Bob.”
Chalamet dedicated himself to intense musical study and training for five years, which allowed him to not
only hone in on the required skillset, but to explore Dylan’s songs and make them his own. Meanwhile, he and celebrated voice coach Eric Vetro watched hours of Dylan’s performances and interviews, paying close a`enaon to small details like his posture and how that influenced his voice.
“If you really want to capture the essence of Bob, it’s very mula-layered,” Vetro says. “He has a lot of different qualiaes to his voice. It’s sort of like a wine. And Timothée has a really good ear. He can grab onto an idea really fast and he knows how to execute it as an actor.”
The actor’s aptitude also stretched to Dylan’s chosen instrument, according to guitar coach Larry Saltzman. Throughout the years of production delays, Chalamet mastered both the guitar and harmonica. His portrayal includes live performances of Dylan’s iconic songs, adding depth and authenticity to the film.
“When learning guitar, there’s a rhythmic thing that has to happen, and I believe that people are either born with this or they’re not,” Saltzman says. “And it’s so important when you watch Bob play because he’s an orchestra of one. I would show a song to Timmy and I would explain to him, ‘Don’t get nervous if this takes you a minute. This is difficult.’ But somehow, within 90 seconds, the guy was doing it. He had really inhabited the person and musician that Dylan is.”
The production of A Complete Unknown had a significant advantage in managing the chaos of live, improvisational musical performances, thanks to the expertise of production mixer Tod A. Maitland. With five Academy Award® nominations to his name, Maitland has pioneered and refined the on-set recording process for live musical performances. His experience includes working on iconic films like Oliver Stone’s The Doors and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.
Maitland’s innovative techniques and deep understanding of capturing live music on set ensured that the film’s musical elements were recorded with precision and authenticity. His expertise allowed the production to navigate the complexities of live performances and deliver a rich, immersive auditory experience for the audience.
With Maitland’s contributions, A Complete Unknown promises not only a compelling narrative and visual experience but also a soundscape that authentically represents the dynamic energy of Bob Dylan’s music and the era it emerged from. This attention to detail in the sound department further enhances the film’s overall impact.
In A Complete Unknown, the music itself is a full partner in telling the story.
Every well-worn classic and every chosen lyric is part of Mangold’s narrative fabric. Fluidity was key, and Chalamet’s prowess in this regard was uncanny, according to music producer Nick Baxter.
“We knew that we needed to capture a lot of this stuff on set and have our actors prepared to do it,” Baxter says. “The fact that Timmy learned these songs and can perform them under all different circumstances, for example scenes where he’s writing, or showing someone a song for the first time, or performing, is incredible. He’s not beholden to anything. He can stop, walk away from the mic, mess up a lyric, add a harmonica solo, and he can go up and down in tempo and pace the song differently. I don’t know if this movie would really work without him being able to do that.”
The Community – A Movement Of Misfits And Dreamers
Mangold’s biggest takeaway when he first approached the material was its fable-like qualities. In his vision, Young Dylan had a sense of his own destiny when he travelled in 1961 to Manhattan with nothing in his pockets and a guitar on his back to meet his hero, Woody Guthrie.
“We didn’t want to draw conjecture that would have demystified the way life was for Bob in Minnesota,”
Chalamet says. “That’s why I love the title of the movie, The Complete Unknown, Some stuff is left to the imagination, because Bob’s ethos as an artist is the myth of self-creation.”
In the film, Woody Guthrie is portrayed as a revered figure in the folk music scene, almost like a divine presence. Timothée Chalamet describes Guthrie as the “dying god” encountered at the beginning of Dylan’s journey. Guthrie, suffering from Huntington’s disease, symbolizes the old guard of folk music.
Meanwhile, Pete Seeger, Guthrie’s close friend, is positioned to take over the leadership of the folk movement. However, Bob Dylan, through a combination of talent, intuition, and determination, eventually rises to prominence and takes the reins of the movement. This dynamic shift highlights Dylan’s impact and his ability to shape the direction of folk music during a transformative period.
Mangold’s A Complete Unknown captures this transition beautifully, showcasing the passing of the torch from Guthrie to Dylan, and the profound influence Dylan had on the folk music scene and beyond. It’s an intriguing portrayal of how one individual’s determination and unique voice can redefine an entire movement.
Scoot McNairy, who plays the role of Guthrie, was aware that when we meet Guthrie in the film, he had lost his ability to speak due to the progression of his neurodegeneraave condiaon. “It is one of the hardest roles that I’ve ever played,” he says. “You’re trying to act without all the tools that you’re really used to. Your mannerisms, your tone, your physicality, all of that is taken away from you. The only thing you have to speak with is your eyes.”
For Edward Norton, the opportunity to learn and play Seeger’s banjo-bound music was a huge hook in and of itself. He’s an actor drawn to those kinds of rich and challenging tasks. He was drawn, as was Chalamet, to the chance to engage a new generation with Seeger and Dylan’s contributions to the cultural fabric. Theirs remains one of the most consequential partnerships in music history, all the more so for how they grew apart, a considerable narrative thread in A Complete Unknown.
“There’s something really interesting to me about the evolution of their alliance,” Norton says. “The reasons you might admire Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger can be divergent without diminishing either one. What’s interesting about their relationship has to do with the way that people can cross paths, be on the same path and then diverge without judgment. There’s so much polarization today, and this relationship is ultimately about finding empathy and being able to understand where someone is coming from.”
Bob Dylan’s activist spirit indeed evolved over time, and the film highlights two significant relationships that played a crucial role in this transformation. Sylvie Russo, played by Elle Fanning, a character representing the real-life Suze Rotolo, is portrayed as a forthright artist and freedom fighter. Rotolo’s influence on Dylan was profound, both personally and politically, as she was deeply involved in the civil rights movement.
Additionally, the film features Joan Baez, the renowned singer and activist, who had a significant impact on Dylan’s career and activism, and is played by Monica Barbaro. Baez and Dylan shared a close professional and personal relationship, and she played a key role in introducing him to a wider audience and supporting his burgeoning activism.
Through these relationships, Dylan’s activist spirit was nurtured and awakened, contributing to his evolution as an artist who used his music to voice his beliefs and ignite a generation. Mangold’s A Complete Unknown seems to capture the essence of these pivotal connections, showcasing how they helped shape Dylan’s journey and his legacy as an influential figure in music and social activism.
Rounding out the film’s trio of artistic influences on Dylan’s journey is the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash. Played by actor Boyd Holbrook, Cash – the subject of Mangold’s 2005 film Walk the Line – comes to represent an endorsement of Dylan’s rebellion – and a partner in his progress. “Make some noise, B-D. Track some mud on the carpet,” as Cash encourages him in the film
The Look – Recreating An Era
Early-1960s New York was a wonderland blossoming with artistic and Boheme energy that Mangold was keen on resurrecting for the screen.
“Jim imagined a textured movie that was grity and grimy with peeling plaster and decaying walls and rust and soot and cigaree butts and trash,” says Mangold’s production designer of the last decade, François Audouy. “Modern day New York has a more antiseptic sort of quality now though. It’s been sandblasted and cleaned up, we actually found that texture and these fixed-in layers became a really big asset for us. It turns out that the other side of the Hudson River looks more like New York than New York does now.”
It’s fascinating to see how meticulous the visual design of A Complete Unknown is. François Audouy’s extensive look-book, filled with 200 pages of inspirational images and photographs, provides a rich visual foundation for the film. Sharing this with Phedon Papamichael, Mangold’s longtime cinematographer, ensures a cohesive vision.
Don Hunstein’s iconic photography, especially the session with Dylan and Suze Rotolo that resulted in the cover of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, serves as a key inspiration. The discussions about the Kodachrome look of the 1960s emphasize the nostalgic and authentic feel they’re aiming for in the film’s visuals.
Papamichael’s use of the Sony Venice 2 digital camera combines the best of past and present. His custom-made lenses, a hybrid of old B-series anamorphic lenses from the ’60s and ’70s, offer a unique texture reminiscent of films like The French Connection or The Last Detail. The anamorphic aspect ratio allows for intimate close-up shots while capturing the surrounding environment, enhancing the film’s immersive quality.
Mangold and Papamichael’s collaboration, stretching back to the 2003 thriller Identity, underscores their strong working relationship and mutual understanding of visual storytelling. This attention to detail and dedication to capturing the essence of the era promises a visually stunning and evocative portrayal of Dylan’s journey in A Complete Unknown.
James Mangold – Director, Writer, Producer
James Mangold’s versatility as a filmmaker is truly remarkable. His body of work spans a wide range of genres, each characterized by its emotional depth and unique storytelling. Rather than being confined to a single genre or motif, Mangold’s films challenge us to feel and reflect deeply.
Starting from his early success with the Sundance Independent film Heavy, Mangold has transitioned seamlessly across genres:
- From the intense cop noir of Cop Land,
- To the mental institution drama of Girl Interrupted,
- The romantic fantasy of Kate & Leopold,
- The musical biopic Walk the Line,
- The traditional western 3:10 to Yuma,
- The gritty pulp horror Identity,
- The beloved comic book hero tales in Logan,
- And the period car racing film Ford v. Ferrari, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Mangold’s ability to navigate these diverse genres while maintaining a strong, emotionally resonant voice is a testament to his talent and vision. Each film offers a distinct experience, showcasing his mastery in crafting compelling narratives that connect deeply with audiences.
It’s clear that Mangold’s A Complete Unknown promises to be another standout addition to his impressive filmography, blending his expertise in music biopics with his knack for evoking powerful cultural moments.
James Mangold’s journey into filmmaking is as fascinating as his diverse filmography. The son of renowned painters Robert Mangold and Sylvia Plimack Mangold, he grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley. His artistic upbringing undoubtedly influenced his creative path.
Mangold graduated in film and acting from The California Institute of the Arts and broke into the film industry at the young age of 21 with a prestigious writer-director deal with Disney Studios. After spending a few years in Hollywood, he decided to further his education at Columbia University’s film school, where he studied under the guidance of Oscar-winning director Milos Forman.
It was during his time at Columbia that Mangold began writing Heavy (1995). The film went on to win the Director’s Prize at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival and was selected to represent the United States at Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. This early success marked the beginning of a prolific and varied career for Mangold.
From his independent film roots to his mainstream successes, Mangold’s career reflects his ability to navigate and excel in a wide range of genres. His background and experiences have clearly shaped his unique approach to filmmaking, allowing him to create powerful, emotionally resonant stories that connect with audiences.
Jay Cocks – Co-writer
Jay Cocks is a highly esteemed screenwriter with a remarkable career. He has received two Oscar nominations for his screenplays of The Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York, both directed by Martin Scorsese. In addition to these acclaimed works, Cocks has also contributed to Silence, another film directed by Scorsese, and Strange Days, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and based on an original script by James Cameron.
Before becoming a celebrated screenwriter, Cocks had an illustrious career as a film and music critic for Time magazine. His deep understanding of film and music has clearly informed his screenwriting, allowing him to create richly textured and compelling narratives.
Cocks’ collaboration on A Complete Unknown brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the project, enhancing its potential to be a standout film.
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