Before the sands of Arrakis beckoned, before the chocolate rivers of Wonka flowed, and before his relationship with Kylie Jenner blossomed, Timothée Chalamet embarked on what he considered his most demanding role yet: embodying a young Bob Dylan in the biopic, A Complete Unknown. This immersive experience, Chalamet confessed, was a complete submersion into the world of the enigmatic musician, a declaration of faith in the "Church of Bob." The film chronicles Dylan’s meteoric rise from a nineteen-year-old Minnesotan with a guitar and five dollars to the voice of a generation, culminating in his controversial electric set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, the very event that lends the film its title.
Chalamet, far from attempting a mere impersonation, captured the essence of Dylan. He meticulously studied the musician’s mannerisms, his music, and his history. He didn’t mimic, he embodied. From the way he cradled his acoustic guitar to his aversion to direct eye contact, Chalamet channeled the spirit of Dylan, a transformation that extended even to the details of his appearance: the uneven stubble, the shadowed eyes, the slightly grimy fingernails. This commitment is all the more impressive considering Chalamet’s initial unfamiliarity with Dylan’s work, requiring a Google search to introduce him to the icon he would portray. This transformation from a Kid Cudi fan to a Dylan devotee earned him praise from the notoriously private musician himself, who endorsed Chalamet’s portrayal.
The film’s UK premiere saw Chalamet, looking sharp in a dark navy suit, gracing the red carpet without his then-girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. Director James Mangold, known for his deft handling of musical biopics like Walk The Line, and co-stars Elle Fanning and Edward Norton, joined him, marking the culmination of a six-year journey beset by delays caused by the pandemic and the Screenwriters Guild of America strike. These delays, however, allowed Chalamet to delve deeper into his role, preparing for the challenge of portraying a figure as complex and influential as Bob Dylan.
Chalamet’s personal life, specifically his relationship with Kylie Jenner, has been a subject of considerable public interest, particularly amongst his devoted fanbase, the "Chalamanics." The contrast between the arty New Yorker with bohemian roots and the reality TV star and cosmetics mogul is stark, fueling speculation about the longevity and sincerity of their connection. The pairing of Chalamet, raised in a subsidized artists’ building in Manhattan and exposed to the arts from a young age, with Jenner, who grew up in the constant spotlight of the Kardashian family’s reality show, seemed an unlikely match. Despite initial skepticism, their relationship, dubbed "Kylothee," has endured, marked by public displays of affection like their kiss at the Golden Globes.
The making of A Complete Unknown is a testament to Chalamet’s dedication. He immersed himself in the role, insisting on performing the songs live, taking lessons in guitar, singing, and harmonica, and even visiting Dylan’s childhood home in Hibbing, Minnesota. This commitment extended to his on-set behavior, where he was referred to only as "Bob" and eschewed visitors, maintaining the character even off-camera. This dedication echoes Dylan’s own artistic ethos of self-creation, a concept central to the film’s narrative and reflected in its title, a phrase lifted directly from Dylan’s iconic song, "Like a Rolling Stone."
The film explores pivotal relationships in Dylan’s early life, featuring Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a fictionalized representation of Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s girlfriend at the time. The on-screen chemistry between Chalamet and Fanning, built upon their prior collaboration in A Rainy Day in New York, adds a layer of authenticity to their portrayal of a young couple navigating the complexities of love and ambition. Chalamet’s thoughtful portrayal of Dylan’s interactions with these women, and his reverence for Woody Guthrie, played by Scoot McNairy, adds depth and emotional resonance to the biopic. The film’s focus on these personal connections illuminates the human side of a man who would become a legend, highlighting the formative influences and experiences that shaped his artistry.
