A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, has landed a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The biographical musical-drama, which has been directed by James Mangold (Logan, Ford v Ferrari), portrays the legendary musician (played by Chalamet) in his early career as he arrives in 1960s New York City.
Co-starring Edward Norton and Elle Fanning, the film – which is due to be released in the UK on January 17 – has received positive reviews since its release in the US, garnering three nominations (Best Picture – Drama, Best Actor – Drama, Best Supporting Actor) at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards.
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Expected to be a major player during awards season, A Complete Unknown has landed a strong approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, garnering an solid 79% approval rating from its first 167 reviews as it was awarded the status of Certified Fresh.
You can read a selection of reviews below:
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"Chalamet isn’t becoming Bob Dylan. He’s carefully crafting a performance that’s evocative of him, while channelling some wild, mercurial thing in the ether."
"A Complete Unknown digs into the elemental power of what Dylan created during this period, tossing off songs for the ages as if he’d pulled them out of the ages. That the Dylan we see is kind of a cad becomes part of the film’s power."
"Timothée Chalamet, an object of affection for those aforementioned young fans, is sensational as Dylan in a fascinating exploration of a music scene reflecting the major social and political shifts of the early 1960s."
"[The film] takes a reverent stance to Dylan’s artistry, populated by technically accomplished musical performances, and shot with a real sensitivity to the emotional landscape of each track. It’s dutiful work. But dutiful doesn’t really cut it with Dylan."
"A Complete Unknown is, much to the surprise of this critic, not at all staid and perfunctory. Even a sceptic can be swept away by its heady mix of laidback assessment and genuine awe."
"Anyone looking for a revelatory portrait of an iconic artist might be a smidge disappointed. But as conventional as it is, this is still a strikingly well-made musical drama with pitch-perfect performances."
"Following the singer as he conquers the American folk scene, then infuriates it by deciding to ’go electric’, the film manages to illuminate precisely what makes Dylan’s opaqueness so captivating."
A Complete Unknown is in US cinemas now, before being released in the UK on January 17.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
