(Updated July 10th 2025 – first posted back in January 2025) I’m sneaking-in to see the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown for a second time later today (after my Rock’n’Roll London walk).
I first saw it a week ago on UK release date. And, yes, I have all of the usual biopic objections that an old fart such as I has about biopics. But small (mostly small) gripes notwithstanding… I absolutely loved it.
Firstly, the music is dynamite. Timothée Chalamet is every bit as fantastic as all the pre publicity – and award nominations – led us to believe. And Ed Norton’s Pete Seeger is a revelation. An uncanny performance. Just as good is Monica Barbaro’s takes-no-crap Joan Baez.
The “Sylvie” character (supposed to be Suze Rotolo, famous from the sleeve of the Freewheelin’ album), however, was written so stoic and wet that it made me want to scream. There are tiny clues as to her activism, talents and energy, but they are so scant that you won’t spot them without prior knowledge of Suze Rotolo. The character is fantastically performed by Ellie Fanning, though. And it was great to hear The KinksAll Day And All Of The Night used in a pivotal scene.
So, yes, all the usual objections, bar this: there’s no valedictory ending. Hurrah! Bob rides off into an uncertain future like only a true pioneer could. He doesn’t know where it ends… he only knows that he was born a long way from where he was supposed to be. As the credits roll, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNary) is also on the verge of an unknowable journey – to the undiscovered country. Very nicely done. Mainstream Hollywood storytelling at its very best.
The Freewheelin’ Suze Rotolo
After seeing the movie, this week I reread Suze Rotolo’s Greenwich Village memoir. If you agree with me that the “Sylvie” character in A Complete Unknown came out a wee bit one-dimensional, then this is the book for you. Artist and activist, New Yorker Rotolo is also a helluva storyteller. Her ringside view of Greenwich Village in the early 60s will fascinate Dylan fans as well as anyone interested in modern history. And it fleshes out an important and influential character left unfinished in the otherwise brilliant new movie.
Other Voices
A bonus from the movie is the report of an upsurge in interest in the music of Joan Baez and all the Greenwich Village crowd of the period. If you’re keen to catch-up with that music too, I’ve put together a couple of starter playlists for you…
