After Searchlight Pictures screened its new Dylan-focused biopic for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 20, journalists and critics took to social media to offer largely positive reactions to 28-year-old Chalamet's portrayal of the iconic folk-rocker.
"Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown," journalist Scott Menzel wrote on X, where he also commended Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton's supporting performances as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. "A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet's performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan."
Variety editor Jazz Tangcay simply wrote, "Wow," to summarize the movie in a post shared to X. "Timothée Chalamet's performance in this is superior. James Mangold and his entire team pull off a technical feat from sound, editing, costume, cinematography to production design, down to the subtleties of makeup and hair," Tangcay added. "Loved it."
Rotten Tomatoes critic Tessa Smith wrote that A Complete Unknown "is absolutely incredible" in a reaction shared on X. "Clocks in at nearly 2.5 hrs but flies by," she added. "The musical performances are perfectly placed, the story is captivating. Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, and Edward Norton all deliver unforgettable performances. I'm in awe."
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Variety's senior award editor Clayton Davis wrote that Chalamet "slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination" in the film.
"Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it's Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere," he wrote. "James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it."
Critic Abe Friedtanzer wrote that while A Complete Unknown "looks and sounds great," the movie is "a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger."
Film critic Ryan Swen offered a differing opinion than many on X, where he described the movie as "not terrible but often unsuccessful." "Chalamet does his best, considerably better in the 1961 section than 1965," he added. "Frequently incoherent/inaccurate."
In addition to Chalamet, Barbaro, Fanning and Norton, the movie's cast also features Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morgenfield, Scoot McNairy and Will Harrison. The film is directed by James Mangold (Walk the Line), who co-wrote the script with Jay Cocks.