The recent upswing in the popularity of legendary artist Bob Dylan is primarily due to the release of James Mangold's new film 'A Complete Unknown'. The film, drawing significant attention from both baby boomers and younger audiences, has achieved an impressive 96% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes. The biopic wraps up events around 1965, a period when Dylan was immensely popular, mimicked by the present Dylan frenzy. The biopic's thoughtful and crowd-pleasing treatment seems to have struck the right chord with the audiences.
In an interview with Variety, Mangold shared his experiences with the film's screenplay, his interactions with Dylan, directing award-contending performances from a talented cast like Louis Chalamet, Edward Norton, and Monica Barbaro, and surprisingly, his admiration for Pete Seeger. The movie subtly represents the complexities of relationships and the personal transitions of artists in the public eye.
Mangold saw the film as dealing with Bob Dylan's suffocation in one environment and his transition to another, beginning with his departure from Minnesota. His character's challenges, relationships, career choices, and persona are well documented in the movie. Beyond its depiction of Dylan, Mangold sees the project as exploring the concept of genius and its impact.
The film casts Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, with the character playing a significant role in the story. Mangold's approach to the film, using an intimate lens of characters' personal and complex relationships, refrained from typecasting roles as villains or heroes. The film captures the highs and lows of these relationships, making for a nuanced portrayal that is not fixated on personal revelation.
The film is not immune to historical tweaks, like the presentation of the "Judas" incident at Newport instead of England. Mangold emphasizes that the biopic is not a historical document but a portrayal of the feelings, characters, and relationships associated with Dylan. It sends a warm message of admiration, adoration, and affection for its characters and the world around them.
