Movies & More reviewer John Gillispie shares his thoughts on ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA Complete Unknown,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ which is rated R.
Many of the recent films about famous musicians have left me feeling depressed by the theme that fame and fortune do not solve problems and often create new woes of their own.
In ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA Complete Unknown,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ which was directed by James Mangold, the film focuses on the first few years of the career of Bob Dylan. In the filmÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s closing credits, viewers are informed that it is ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œbased on the bookÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ by Elijah Wald titled ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDylan Goes Electric.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
While the film is more than two hours long, it moves along at a nice pace and held my interest by showing the impact that fame has on a young Bob Dylan. The film tells viewers the artistÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s first album was mostly cover songs before he was allowed to record the music that he wrote that became so very well known.
With SeegerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s help, Bob begins performing and meets Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), who sings some of his songs. After Bob Dylan begins recording his own songs, his career really takes off. It is easy to see why Chalamet and Barbaro were both nominated for Academy Awards for their work in this film.
Much of the drama toward the end of the film involves whether Bob Dylan will play traditional folk music or use an electric guitar with a band at an important music festival. The film shows how the musician struggles with trying to be respectful to the person who helped him get his start in the business while being true to the direction in which he wants to go musically.
Music from the film stayed with me after the movie was over and that always seems like a positive sign to me.
John Gillispie is the public relations director for the Huntington Museum of Art.
