A Complete Unknown

New York 1961 thrums with political upheaval. When 19-year-old Bob Dylan from Minnesota comes to town he finds recognition and subsequent celebrity on stage for singing the folk songs he's driven to write.

A Complete Unknown probably exercises some fictional licence, but there's nothing irksome enough to warrant fact-checking. The details are immaterial as the essence of the man is seductive; the director portrays rather than attempting to explain the troubadour and, fittingly, scenes brim with his music. The 4 years covered by the movie were changing times for the enigmatic performer, with the big city village backdrop providing an immersive setting, one that's longingly remembered even if most of us weren't there. How does it feel?

Limited Release 23rd January 2025
Walt Disney Studios 141 mins