The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards released and film critics seem to disagree. There is one nominee that critics expected and support, Timothée Chalamet for Best Actor in his leading role as Bob Dylan in the anti-biopic, “A Complete Unknown.”
The film that debuted on Christmas Day encapsulates Dylan’s early years in the industry. The time bite covered 1961-1965, a time marked in American history by civil rights movements, war and assassinations.
In the early 60’s, Dylan was at the forefront of his career. Many folk revolutionaries including Woody Allen and Pete Seegar viewed Dylan as the young one who would change everything.
The young singer began playing gigs in Greenwich Village in New York City where he met Joan Baez in April 1961. Baez and Dylan would forever be known as a duet heard around the world, specifically because of Dylan’s vocals shouting over her – which is discoverable in the original versions, but not so much in the movie.
“Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me,
Bob Dylan said on Twitter (now X). “Or a younger me. Or Some other me.”
To be endorsed by the aloof icon himself is enough to lend a hand to the young, captivating actor.
The nomination of Monica Barbaro as Best Supporting Actress, who plays young Baez in the film, was a surprise to critics.
The role of Baez in the biopic was a silent devastation. Baez had her breakout debut in 1959 at the Newport Folk Festival. She is known for her activism and folk movements.
Baez and Dylan became involved in the music world and in their intimate lives. The tension on screen is palpable. There is a scene in the film where Chalamet’s Dylan is sucking on a cigarette and typing lyrics on a typewriter with Barbaro’s Baez sitting behind him in bed. She feeds him poetic lines and he grunts. This dynamic is truly one of the first representations of a “situationship.”
The rendition of “It Ain’t Me Babe,” sung by Chalamet and Barbaro, is an example of the artists short-lived but heart-full relationship.
Chalamet appeared on the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he promptly stated that the film was his most prideful project yet. He was first nominated for an Academy Award as lead Elio in 2017’s “Call Me By Your Name,” directed by Luca Guadagnino.
The actor maintains the elusive authenticity of the revolutionary artist, admitting that he watched press conferences of Dylan before he truly even dove into his music. Chalamet prepared for this role over the course of five years, according to the interview. The pandemic extended the shoot time, but the New York native took the extension to become one with the material.
“The worst thing we could have done with a Bob Dylan biopic is sanitize it, make it sound clean,” Chalamet said. “This is a man from iron ore country.”
While strumming patterns remain the same, the voice is different. The cultural icon is known for his cold country shout and strum. Chalamet captures Dylan’s poetic readings and shaky folk tone in his own way. Critics define the actor’s voice as imperfect but that’s expected, he is not Bob Dylan. The entire soundtrack, sung by Chalamet, Barbaro and the other impersonating artists is available on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
After the release of “A Complete Unknown,” the music made by Dylan and Baez has become more accessible to younger generations. The pivotal music may remind the audience of the days of anti-war in a world filled with it.
The stammering stream and assertiveness that drives his otherworldly aesthetic, Dylan was truly a character to play. Chalamet studied the singer as a personality at first, only being referred to as Bob Dylan on set. Each song was filmed live to camera, according to Chalamet.
This year’s nominations have received backlash over offensive social media posts made by Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of the 2024 film, “Emilia Pérez,” after she was nominated for Best Actress in a leading role. In the age of cancel culture and lack of collaboration, it is not safe to say that everyone is deserving of the recognition they receive.
In the case of this Bob Dylan biopic, many critics and viewers encourage the recognition. What makes a film deserving of such an award is the impact it has on the audience, and this one brought people of all ages to theaters for over 40 days. While sitting in the cinema, one can hear old and young voices singing alike, rediscovering “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “Like a Rolling Stone.”