Dylan’s Delight: A Fictional Twist in ‘A Complete Unknown’

Bob Dylan is no stranger to bending reality, and he’s made it clear that his latest film, A Complete Unknown, will be no exception.

This December, audiences will get a glimpse into the legendary musician’s journey, from his early days in New York City to his notorious shift to electric music.

While Dylan’s input shaped the film, it’s a fascinating fact that the actors never had the chance to meet him directly.

However, Dylan did sit down with director James Mangold to share some unconventional insights about the biopic.

Dylan had a particular request that stood out: he insisted on including a scene that was entirely fabricated.

Despite the film staying relatively truthful to his life, it’s peppered with a variety of historical liberties.

For instance, actress Monica Barbaro, who portrays Joan Baez, initially bristled at the idea of fictional elements.

She expressed a strong desire to present Baez’s story authentically, questioning the necessity of straying from the facts.

One specific fictional moment that caught Barbaro’s attention was when Dylan and Baez supposedly sang “Girl From the North Country” together.

There’s no evidence that this jam ever occurred.

She also contested scenes where they shared a guitar, emphasizing that Dylan was typically the musician of the two.

Yet Mangold felt that these adjustments lent a cinematic flair, capturing the essence of their relationship.

Mangold explained his perspective to Barbaro, stating, “It’s about the imagery, not just the facts.” He underscored that this film isn’t designed to serve as a mere historical document; instead, it’s a portrayal of Dylan’s influential life and times.

According to Edward Norton, who plays folk legend Pete Seeger in the film, Dylan was adamant about pulling the audience further into fantasy.

He encouraged Mangold to weave in at least one scene that was completely inaccurate.

While Mangold had his reservations about distancing the narrative too much from reality, Dylan seemed unfazed by potential criticisms.

“What do you care what other people think?” he challenged, emphasizing his standpoint.

This isn’t the first time Dylan’s been linked to embellishments about his life.

His fans are all too familiar with the tendency for inconsistencies in his stories.

Experts, like Clinton Heylin, suggest that Dylan has fabricated entire chapters of his biography.

“To me, much of the ‘Oh Mercy’ section in Chronicles reads like fiction,” Heylin commented, likening it to the surrealism of Dylan’s 2003 film, Masked And Anonymous.

It prompts the question: why shouldn’t he generate a narrative that entertains?

Timothée Chalamet, who steps into Dylan’s persona for A Complete Unknown, dedicated considerable effort to embodying the enigmatic artist.

The extended production timeline, influenced by COVID-19 and industry strikes, allowed Chalamet to immerse himself deeply into his role over five years.

He engaged with various coaches, from guitar instructors to dialect specialists, all to capture Dylan’s essence authentically.

Chalamet’s pursuit of authenticity was relentless.

His guitar teacher, Larry Saltzman, shared, “He consistently avoided the easy path.

If I suggested a shortcut, he’d insist I not show him the easy way.” This dedication speaks volumes about his commitment to portraying Dylan on screen.

Set to arrive in theaters just in time for the holiday season on December 25, A Complete Unknown promises to offer a fresh perspective on the life of Bob Dylan.

It combines truth, art, and a splash of imagination, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersections of reality and storytelling.

The film showcases not just a musician’s journey, but also the art of crafting a narrative that resonates, even if it’s not entirely rooted in fact.