REVIEW: A Complete Unknown – Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning,

Here’s A Complete Unknown review written by Vinni Misa; the film stars Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro and more and directed by James Mangold.

A Complete Unknown is the musical biopic from Walk The Line director James Mangold. Set against the backdrop of New York’s folk revival scene of the 1960’s, it dramatizes Bob Dylan‘s early years as an aspiring musician to becoming the poster boy of the Bohemian counterculture and his struggles with trying to outgrow the persona imposed upon him. Timotheé Chalamet delivers an excellent performance dramatically and musically in his portrayal of Dylan, singing with utmost sincerity while maintaining Dylan’s signature vocal style.

A Complete Unknown Trailer

Whereas Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro stood out just as much in their portrayals of Dylan’s girlfriend Sylvie Russo (based on Suze Rotolo) and folk singer Joan Baez respectively. Boyd Holbrook has a small but significant role as country singer Johnny Cash, the subject of Mangold’s aforementioned biopic Walk The Line.

Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael does a great job at capturing the feel of the 1960’s with his grainy compositions. Lastly, James Mangold is perhaps one of the most overlooked directors in Hollywood today. He’s excelled in a number of genres over the years, but his approach to musical biopics really standout. Overall, A Complete Unknown can be dragging for a 141 minute music biopic, especially off the heels of more recent genre entries with a faster tempo.

Not everyone is a fan of Bob Dylan, moreso not everyone is a fan of folk music, but this film’s emotional moments set against the music might just make you wanna sing along. I rate A Complete Unknown a 9/10.

Thank you to 20th Century Studios PH, Disney PH, and Ayala Malls for this screening. A Complete Unknown is out in Philippine cinemas, February 26!