Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ first reactions praise Timothée Chalamet for delivering “the performance of the year”

The first reactions to Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown have praised Timothée Chalamet for delivering “the performance of the year”.

The movie directed by James Mangold, charts Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic to electric guitar in the mid-’60s and will be released in US cinemas on December 25, with a UK release to follow on January 17.

Chalamet stars alongside Edward Norton (Pete Seeger) and Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo, a fictionalised version of Dylan’s first New York girlfriend Suze Rotolo, who died in 2011) in the film which is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, And The Night That Split The Sixties. 

Members of the press were given early previews of the film with many hailing Chalamet’s performance.

Film critic Scott Menzel wrote: “Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown. A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.”

Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown. A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in… pic.twitter.com/n1n2UqhoWC

— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) November 21, 2024

Variety’s senior awards editor Clayton Davis also praised Chalamet and his co-stars.

He said: “Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination. Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.”

Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James… pic.twitter.com/dqUpbFIyFS

— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) November 21, 2024

The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood, meanwhile, called the film “superb” and “shockingly moving,” adding: “Chalamet is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin off movie.”

Not a fan of folk music and A Complete Unknown is superb and shockingly moving. Timothee is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin off movie. #Oscars

— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) November 21, 2024

Awards Buzz editor Abe Friedtanzer also said: “A Complete Unknown looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. “

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.#ACompleteUnknown pic.twitter.com/F8lqlSlxoN

— Abe Friedtanzer (@movieswithabe) November 21, 2024

Film critic Tim Gerber agreed. He wrote: “A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is a solid biopic, showing Bob Dylan as a deeply talented individual with a lack of social intelligence. Timothee Chalamet is excellent & Monica Barbaro is captivating as Joan Baez. Oscar nominatons for Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Costumes are possible.”

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is a solid biopic, showing Bob Dylan as a deeply talented individual with a lack of social intelligence. Timothee Chalamet is excellent & Monica Barbaro is captivating as Joan Baez. Oscar nominatons for Best Picture, Cinematography, Sound, Costumes are possible

— 🌲 Tim Gerber 🌈 (@ZurrieSkate) November 21, 2024

Not all the the reactions were positive though with Los Angeles film critic Ryan Swen, using Dylan’s lyrics to describe his reaction. “It’s vile and deceitful – it’s cruel and it’s mean. Ugliest thing that you have ever seen,” he posted before adding that the film was “not terrible but often unsuccessful, Chalamet does his best, considerably better in the 1961 section than 1965, frequently incoherent/inaccurate”.

(Not terrible but often unsuccessful, Chalamet does his best, considerably better in the 1961 section than 1965, frequently incoherent/inaccurate)

— Ryan Swen/孫天行/Sun Tien-hsing (@swen_ryan) November 21, 2024

You can view more reactions below:

A Complete Unknown manages to tell us everything about Bob Dylan while telling us almost nothing about Bob Dylan. Some would say that was the target. The movie is ultimately about the power of the individual and talent and how what we all want can turn on a dime, repeatedly.…

— David Poland (@DavidPoland) November 21, 2024

Timothée Chalamet’s performance in ‘A Complete Unknown’ is nothing short of transformative. He becomes Dylan, disappearing completely into the man behind the music. Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton also shine, each bringing depth and humanity to their roles. The… pic.twitter.com/2Ie7wNPFZF

— Jonathan P. Moustakas (@thecinemagroup) November 21, 2024

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is fantastic. Timothee Chalamet delivers the performance of his career as Bob Dylan. The Oscar race is heating up! Also I just drank an entire gallon of milk. It was delicious! I feel really good.

— jackson ✈ funnyvember (@cheaperby12film) November 21, 2024

Gonna put this out there now: I think we need to take Monica Barbaro seriously for a nomination in Supporting Actress.

Considering how slim the competition is, I wouldn’t count her out. #ACompleteUnknown pic.twitter.com/Hp87stqEce

— Nick Zednik (@NickZednik) November 21, 2024

Was incredibly fortunate to see #ACompleteUnknown tonight at Fox. We were the very first audience to see the film. Fantastic response. I absolutely loved everything about it. The performances, the look, and obviously the music. It is a must see for any music fan. @searchlightpics pic.twitter.com/VTRN5yvCNM

— Hal Schwartz (@BullMarketEnt) November 21, 2024

To celebrate the film, a number of specially-designed posters inspired by Dylan’s most beloved songs have been created, which you can check out exclusively on NME.

Dylan oversaw the project as executive producer and, according to the crew, demanded at least one totally inaccurate moment be included.

Meanwhile, Chalamet learned to play 30 songs in preparation for the film, taking lessons with a vocal coach, a guitar teacher, a dialect coach, a movement coach and even a harmonica tutor.

Recently, the actor also gave a preview of the film by dropping his version of one of Dylan’s most iconic tracks, ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’, originally released on the 1965 album ‘Bringing It All Back Home’.