Bob Dylan has always been an enigmatic figure, carefully controlling the narrative around his life and work. Recently Dylan broke that silent streak to not only approve but praise the upcoming biopic A Complete Unknown. Directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet, the film delves into Dylan’s early rise to fame and his controversial decision to go electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Chalamet’s performance has already generated buzz, with some calling it “the performance of the year.” Dylan himself remarked on X, “Timmy’s a brilliant actor, so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.”
Dylan’s life has been extensively chronicled, with countless biographies written about his influence on music, culture, and the broader social fabric of the 20th century.
Notable works include:
Bob Dylan in America by Sean Wilentz
Bob Dylan: A Biography by Bob Batchelor
However, Dylan rarely endorses these retellings of his life which is why his recent praise for Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric!,—the source material for A Complete Unknown—is a rare and significant exception. The book itself received acclaim for its detailed and balanced account of the events leading up to the Newport Folk Festival, making it a fitting foundation for a cinematic adaptation.
This isn’t the first time Dylan’s music has inspired a film, but A Complete Unknown is unique in its direct adaptation of a specific biography. Dylan’s endorsement elevates the project, signaling his trust in Wald’s interpretation and Mangold’s cinematic vision. Wald’s book offers an intimate look at the cultural shift Dylan spearheaded, capturing both the backlash and the brilliance of his decision to go electric.
The film is set to be released in theaters on December 25 and with Dylan’s rare seal of approval and Chalamet’s transformative performance, A Complete Unknown promises to be more than a standard biopic. This is a story about reinvention, risk, and the enduring power of artistry.
An avid book reader and proud library card holder, Angela is new to the world of e-Readers. She has a background in education, emergency response, fitness, loves to be in nature, traveling and exploring. With an honours science degree in anthropology, Angela also studied writing after graduation. She has contributed work to The London Free Press, The Gazette, The Londoner, Best Version Media, Lifeliner, and Citymedia.ca.
