Movie Night: A Complete Unknown

Jul 18

Adam writes… It’s Saturday morning here in London Town and welcome to The London Music Tours Film Festival. In this series, I’ll recommend a music movie for your weekend viewing. In the post I’ll add a location map, a soundtrack/soundtrack highlights playlist and (where possible) any bits of trivia that might enhance your viewing pleasure.

These posts were curated in conjunction with members of The Monday Night Music History Club who recommended some of their favourite music films.

A Complete Unknown

Movie poster featuring a guitarist with curly hair playing an electric guitar, for 'A Complete Unknown'.

Director: James Mangold

Year: 2024

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton

Awards: Nominated for eight Oscars; Screen Actors’ Guild Award for Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet)

A Bob Dylan biopic, you say? Well, yes, I immediately 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 Kinks All 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.

Trailer

Soundtrack

Trivia

Most of the NYC scenes were actually shot in New Jersey (but not the Chelsea Hotel exteriors, which were filmed on location in Midtown).

As Pete Seeger, Edward Norton played Seeger’s actual 12-string Martin guitar.

The character Sylvie is based on writer, poet and activist Suze Rotolo, who appears on the sleeve of The Freewhlin’ Bob Dylan album. Dylan requested that the movie did not use her real name on grounds of privacy.

The London Music Tours Film Festival

For your consideration… previous posts in the Movie Night series…

Empire Records

That’ll Be the Day/Stardust Double Bill

This is Spinal Tap

The Stones In the Park

London Music Tours

First time visitor to this site? Hello! My name’s Adam and I am an award-winning, qualified tour guide. I specialise in music-themed guided tours here in London. I’ve been a tour guide for 20+ years and I offer a regular schedule of walking tours throughout the year. For the full, up-to-date calendar click HERE.

Private tours are always available, too. Use the form at the bottom of this post to get in touch to book a private tour.

I’m qualified as a Westminster Guide (with distinction), a former visiting lecturer in tour guiding at the University of Westminster and an ex-national newspaper arts journalist . In my spare time I play guitar and sing and buy too many records. Drop me a line anytime using the form below.

To join one of my non-music-themed walking tours, visit the London Walks website HERE.

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