Christmas day this year saw the release of the much anticipated Bob Dylan biography picture, A Complete Unknown. The film has been well received as it garnered three Golden Globe nominations and is nominated for the Academy Awards. With Bob Dylan’s story in the spotlight, it’s the perfect time to remember the other Bob Dylan movie as well. 2007’s I’m Not There has a vastly different take on the life of this historic musician, yet both films are valuable viewing experiences.
For some younger people, the recent biopic may be their first real introduction to Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan was one of the most significant figures in music in the 20th century. “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, political anthems in favor of the Civil Rights movement, are some of Dylan’s most popular songs.” Dylan went against the grain, receiving backlash for his transition from traditional folk to electric rock. He is the only musician to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, has five songs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has ten Grammy Awards. It’s no wonder storytellers continue to be fascinated by him.
I’m Not There was directed by Todd Haynes and released to positive reception in 2007. It received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win, both for Cate Blanchett’s performance.
I’m Not There does not follow any linear story but instead meshes together six seemingly unconnected characters, each one representing a different part of his persona. Dylan can be hard to wholly summarize as one person, attitude, or viewpoint, and this film splits him into contradictory pieces that suit his mystery well.
Marcus Carl Franklin portrays a train hopping, young African American boy who sings the blues and has a deep affection for folk musician Woody Guthrie, after whom he names himself. Christian Bale embodies Jack Rollins, a traditional folk singer and later born again Christian who is having a documentary made about him. Heath Ledger plays Robbie Clark, an actor who plays Jack Rollins in the aforementioned documentary and, as a result, is consumed by the personal and relationship issues of fame. Cate Blanchett’s acclaimed performance is as Jude Quinn, the contrary folk singer who controversially turns to rock and roll. Richard Gere plays Billy McCarty, a cowboy-like figure hiding out from the law in a rural town. Finally, Ben Winshaw rounds out the cast as Arthur Rimbaud, a man being interrogated who gives nothing but philosophical and mysterious responses. The film doesn’t have a clear narrative, but the blues boy, the folk singer, the famous actor, the rebel rock and roller, the western outlaw, and the cryptic figure are all individual pieces that create Bob Dylan despite the fact that the film never says his name.
I’m Not There is confusing and overwhelmingly detailed. It would take years to unpack the different color palettes, visual motifs, song meanings, and more. It is worth watching but it demands attention. I am sure you will notice an entirely new and fascinating aspect of the film every time you watch it.
The newer film, A Complete Unknown, was released December 25, 2024 and was directed by James Mangold. It received three Golden Globe nominations and eight Academy Awards nominations.
Like more traditional biography pictures and completely unlike I’m Not There, the film follows one man in a chronological and grounded story. A Complete Unknown covers the true story of Bob Dylan’s career from his folk beginnings in 1961 to his rock and roll rebellion of 1965. Though it’s hard to claim any of the personas in I’m Not There represent one moment in time, I would say the Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown most closely resembles a switch between Jack Rollins to Jude Quinn.
The film stars one of Hollywood’s current favorites, Timothee Chalamet, as Bob Dylan. Edward Norton plays Pete Seger, a fellow folk star, and both men garnered Golden Globe nominations for their performances. Monica Barbaro plays Joan Baez, another folk musician as well as lover, while Elle Fanning plays Suze Rotolo, renamed Sylvie Russo, Dylan’s girlfriend.
In this film, Bob Dylan begins as an unsatisfied folk musician who becomes popular with beautiful political songs. Being the typical tortured artist, he has a very tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend Sylvie as he works. He builds a similar relationship with Joan Baez. However, it seems that Dylan is too busy with his work and rebellion to be very torn up about the conflict in his personal life. Dylan struggles with the expectations of other people regarding his romantic partners, his record label, and the genre of music he should play. In the end, Dylan attempts to break free from his label’s demands by moving from his traditional, American, and acoustic folk music towards rock and roll.
A Complete Unknown is a relatively high quality movie but not a particularly refreshing or new concept having seen other recent biopics like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody. Chalamet plays Dylan very well, and the true story is told in a dramatically satisfying and meaningful way. It was a very enjoyable and interesting watch, though it was playing it somewhat safe.
A Complete Unknown is a normal biography picture, whereas I’m Not There is an artistic and confusing journey. The newer movie is much easier to watch than the older film which alienates certain viewers with its unique take.
A Complete Unknown brings a realistic, good quality Dylan story to a wide audience. I’m Not There is a more ambitious, creative film with more depth. They are for different people with different tastes in cinema. One is realistic and the other abstract. Having seen them both, my take is that each is worth watching for completely opposite reasons. Perhaps together they paint the best picture of the mysterious and contradictory man that is Bob Dylan.
