It has been suggested that A Complete Unknown (soundtrack) be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since December 2024. |
A Complete Unknown | |
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Directed by | James Mangold |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Phedon Papamichael |
Edited by |
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Production companies |
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Distributed by | Searchlight Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 141 minutes [5] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $80 million [6] |
A Complete Unknown is a 2024 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jay Cocks. Based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, the film portrays Bob Dylan through his earliest folk music success until the momentous controversy over his use of electric instruments at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Timothée Chalamet (who also produces) stars as Dylan, with Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy in supporting roles. The film's title is derived from the chorus of Dylan's 1965 single "Like a Rolling Stone".
A Complete Unknown premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on December 10, 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Searchlight Pictures on December 25, 2024. Early reviews for the movie have been positive, with universal acclaim for Chalamet's performance. It was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review, the latter of which also awarded Fanning the Best Supporting Actress prize. [7] It received three nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actor for Chalamet and Best Supporting Actor for Norton.
The film follows the life and career of musician Bob Dylan from January 1961, when he moves from Minnesota to New York City, to his 1965 concert at the Newport Folk Festival, resulting in controversy over Dylan's use of electric instruments. [8]
It was announced in January 2020 that James Mangold would be writing and directing a biopic about Bob Dylan, specifically centered on the controversy surrounding his switch to electric guitars, with Timothée Chalamet cast as Dylan. At this time, the film was referred to as Going Electric. [13] By October, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael stated that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had put the project into doubt. [14] Chalamet regardless spent time researching Dylan during the pandemic, visiting former homes of Dylan in New York City and consulting director Joel Coen during this time. [15] [16] Mangold had also met with Dylan about the film, and stated that he annotated the script while also providing notes to Chalamet. [17] In an October 2023 interview, Chalamet stated he was working with the same team of vocal and movement coaches that worked with Austin Butler for his performance in Elvis (2022). [18]
In November 2022, Chalamet stated he was still attached to the film and actively preparing for it, the project having gained momentum again after stalling. [19] In February 2023, the film was officially titled A Complete Unknown, and it was stated that Mangold would begin work on the project following his obligations to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny . [20] Monica Barbaro would enter final negotiations to portray Joan Baez in April. [21] In May, Elle Fanning was cast to play Sylvie Russo, [22] a character based on Suze Rotolo, [23] with Mangold announcing Benedict Cumberbatch would be portraying Pete Seeger in the film. [24] Barbaro would also be confirmed for her role, beginning singing and guitar lessons to prepare. [25] Mangold would state in July that the film was not necessarily focused on being a Dylan biopic, but an ensemble drama in the vein of Robert Altman. Boyd Holbrook and Nick Offerman would also join the cast in that time. [17] In October, P. J. Byrne was noted as being amongst the cast. [26] In January 2024, Edward Norton was revealed to portray the role of Seeger, replacing Cumberbatch who left due to scheduling issues. [27] Additional casting was announced in March. [1]
In April 2023, Mangold stated that principal photography would likely begin in August 2023 in New York City and Montreal, [28] but filming was postponed in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [29] By early 2024, filming was scheduled to begin in late March 2024, and was expected to occur throughout New Jersey, with scenes set in New York City being filmed in Jersey City. [30] [31] Filming began on March 16. [32] Production wrapped by late June 2024. [33] [23] [34] Edward Norton said that during the three months of principal photography, Chalamet was "relentless" in staying immersed in his role as Dylan, not having contact with friends or visitors on set. [35] Chalamet would often be referred to as "Bob" on set by Mangold and was listed as "Bob Dylan" on the set call sheet. [35] [36]
According to producer Fred Berger, Chalamet sings 40 Dylan songs in the film, while also playing guitars and harmonicas. All performances were recorded live while filming; Barbaro, Norton, and Holbrook also sang and played their own instruments. [37] Sound engineer Tod Maitland revealed that recording was done with period-appropriate microphones and instruments and without the use of earpieces. [37]
The soundtrack album for A Complete Unknown is scheduled for initial release on December 25, 2024, the same day as the film, through Columbia Records. [38] It is scheduled for release on physical formats in 2025; a vinyl edition featuring 16 tracks is scheduled for release on January 24, while the CD with 23 tracks is scheduled for February 28. [39] [40] Two songs from the soundtrack were released on December 4, 2024: "Like a Rolling Stone" by Chalamet and "Girl from the North Country" by Chalamet and Barbaro. [41] "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" has been confirmed as a track on the album, which also includes performances from Norton and Holbrook. [39] The album's track listing also includes "Highway 61 Revisited", "Mr. Tambourine Man", "I Was Young When I Left Home", "Subterranean Homesick Blues", and "The Times They Are a-Changin' ". [39] The film additionally features a performance of "Song to Woody". [9]
In July 2024, a teaser trailer was released. [42] [43] The official trailer was released in October. [44] The film premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on December 10, 2024. [45] It is set to be released in the United States on December 25, 2024, and in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2025. [46] [47]
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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 78% of 86 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.The website's consensus reads: "Charged up by Timothée Chalamet's electric performance, this ballad of Bob Dylan might not get under the enigmatic artist's skin but will make you feel like you've spent time in his company." [48] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [49]
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
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Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 20, 2024 | Song – Onscreen Performance (Film) | "Blowin' in the Wind" – Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | [50] |
Music Supervision – Film | Steven Gizicki | Nominated | |||
Music Themed Film, Biopic or Musical | James Mangold, Fred Berger, Bob Bookman, Timothée Chalamet, and Alan Gasmer | Nominated | |||
Gotham Awards | December 2, 2024 | Visionary Tribute | Timothée Chalamet and James Mangold | Honored | [51] |
National Board of Review | December 4, 2024 | Top Ten Films | A Complete Unknown | Honored | [52] |
Best Supporting Actress | Elle Fanning | Won | |||
American Film Institute Awards | December 5, 2024 | Top Ten Films | A Complete Unknown | Honored | [53] |
Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Won | [54] |
Best Supporting Actor | Edward Norton | Won | [55] | ||
Astra Film Awards | December 8, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Won | [56] |
Breakthrough Award | Monica Barbaro | Won | [57] | ||
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 8, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | [58] |
Michigan Movie Critics Guild | December 9, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | [59] |
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards | December 9, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | |
Best Use of Music | A Complete Unknown | Won | [60] | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | December 12, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | [61] |
Phoenix Critics Circle | December 12, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | [62] |
Best Supporting Actress | Monica Barbaro | Nominated | |||
Las Vegas Film Critics Society | December 14, 2024 | Best Picture | A Complete Unknown | Nominated | [63] |
Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actor | Edward Norton | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Elle Fanning | Nominated | |||
St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 15, 2024 | Best Film | A Complete Unknown | Nominated | [64] |
Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Monica Barbaro | Nominated | |||
Best Soundtrack | A Complete Unknown | Won | |||
New Mexico Film Critics | December 15, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Won | [65] |
New York Film Critics Online | December 16, 2024 | Best Picture | A Complete Unknown | Nominated | |
Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | |||
Best Use of Music | A Complete Unknown | Nominated | |||
Top 10 Films | A Complete Unknown | Honored | [66] | ||
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle | December 16, 2024 | Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Nominated | [67] |
Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 3, 2025 | Chairman's Award | Timothée Chalamet | Honored | [68] |
Golden Globe Awards | January 5, 2025 | Best Motion Picture – Drama | A Complete Unknown | Pending | [69] |
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama | Timothée Chalamet | Pending | |||
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Edward Norton | Pending | |||
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | January 11, 2025 | Best Picture | A Complete Unknown | Pending | [70] |
Best Director | James Mangold | Pending | |||
Best Screenwriter | James Mangold and Jay Cocks | Pending | |||
Best Ensemble | Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, and Boyd Holbrook | Pending | |||
Best Time Capsule | A Complete Unknown | Pending | |||
Critics' Choice Awards | January 12, 2025 | Best Picture | A Complete Unknown | Pending | [71] |
Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Pending | |||
Best Supporting Actor | Edward Norton | Pending | |||
Santa Barbara International Film Festival | February 11, 2025 | Arlington Artist of the Year | Timothée Chalamet | Honored [a] | [72] |
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A Complete Unknown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2024 biographical film A Complete Unknown. It consists primarily of songs written by Bob Dylan and performed by Timothée Chalamet, who portrays Dylan in the film. Cast members Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton, and Boyd Holbrook perform additional songs as Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Johnny Cash, respectively. The album was produced by the film's director James Mangold alongside Nick Baxter and Steven Gizicki.