New York City, 1961. A haze of cigarette smoke hangs heavy in the dimly lit Gaslight Cafe as beatnik poets and folk musicians huddle around small tables. Whispers ripple through the crowd – “Have you heard the kid from Minnesota?” A lone figure, Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet), fresh off the bus, steps onto the small stage, guitar in hand. His raw, untamed voice cuts through the chatter, singing of forgotten souls and changing times. Across the room, Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), a striking artist with eyes that see too much, is captivated. Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), a pillar of the folk scene, watches with a mixture of curiosity and concern, sensing both genius and potential disruption. Meanwhile, Albert Grossman (Dan Fogler), a shrewd manager with an eye for talent, recognizes the lightning in Dylan’s voice, already envisioning the possibilities, the records, the revolution. But the city is a proving ground, and the road to legend is paved with hard choices and the ghosts of those left behind.
A Complete Unknown Movie Overview
| Title | A Complete Unknown |
|---|---|
| Release Status | Released |
| Release Date | 2024-12-18 |
| Runtime | 2 hours and 20 minutes |
| Genre | Drama, Music |
| Original Language | En |
| Spoken Language | English |
| Country | United States of America |
| Production Co. | Veritas Entertainment Group, Range Media Partners, The Picture Company, Turnpike Films, White Water, Searchlight Pictures |
A Complete Unknown Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Timothée Chalamet | Bob Dylan |
| Edward Norton | Pete Seeger |
| Elle Fanning | Sylvie Russo |
| Monica Barbaro | Joan Baez |
| Scoot McNairy | Woody Guthrie |
| Dan Fogler | Albert Grossman |
| Boyd Holbrook | Johnny Cash |
| Will Harrison | Bob Neuwirth |
| Joe Tippett | Dave Van Ronk |
| Eriko Hatsune | Toshi Seeger |
| Peter Gray Lewis | Frank (Lawyer) |
| Peter Gerety | Federal Judge |
| Lenny Grossman | Federal Court Clerk |
| David Wenzel | Cab Driver |
| Riley Hashimoto | Danny Seeger |
| Eloise Peyrot | Tinya Seeger |
| Maya Feldman | Mika Seeger |
| Reza Salazar | Tito (Gerdes Stage Manager) |
| James Austin Johnson | Gerdes M.C. |
| David Alan Basche | John Hammond |
| Joshua Henry | Brownie McGhee (Blues Musician) |
| Norbert Leo Butz | Alan Lomax |
| Alaina Surgener | Gena Russo |
| Martin Fisher | Civil Rights Speaker |
| Craig Geraghty | Mailman |
| Michael Everett Johnson | Orderly |
| Jater Webb | Young Musician at Party |
| Andy Talen | Jimmy Dean |
| Andrew Kober | Man On Payphone |
| Eric Berryman | Tom Wilson |
| Molly Jobe | CBS Receptionist |
| Sophie Hart | Girl #1 (D.C. Hotel) |
| Taylor Valentine Lupini | Girl #2 (D.C. Hotel) |
| P.J. Byrne | Harold Levanthal |
| Nick Pupo | Peter Yarrow |
| Brendan Burke | Street Vendor |
| Laura Kariuki | Becka |
| Zoe Zien | Tilda |
| Kevyn Morrow | Party Guest #1 |
| Andy Grotelueschen | Party Guest #2 |
| Jonathan Spivey | Party Guest #3 |
| Cilda Shaur | Party Guest #4 |
| Clark Carmichael | Party Guest #5 |
| Taylor Goodwyn | Woman at McAnn’s |
| Arthur Langlie | Sylvie’s New Boyfriend |
| Michael Chernus | Theodore Bikel |
| Jordan Goodsell | Roy Halee (Engineer) |
| Eli Brown | Mike Bloomfield |
| Big Bill Morganfield | Jesse Moffette |
| Liam Craig | Jonah (TV Floor Director) |
| Charlie Tahan | Al Kooper |
| Ian Kagey | Harvey Brooks (Columbia Records) |
| Dave Maulbeck | Newport Cab Driver |
| Lorin Doctor | Spacey Girl |
| Aidan Close | Kid in Crowd |
| Irina Chelidze | Girl in Crowd |
| Jenna Veal | Newport Festival Fan #1 |
| Joshua Flinchbaugh | Newport Festival Fan #2 |
| Cameron G. Quevedo | Newport Festival Fan #3 |
| Alexis Felix | Newport Festival Fan #4 |
| Will Price | Joe Boyd (Sound Engineer) |
| Sunny Vinsavich | Angry Fan |
| Kayli Carter | Maria Muldaur |
| Steve Bell | Sony Terry (Blues Musician) |
| Malcolm Gold | Marshall Grant (Tennessee 3) |
| Patrick Phalen | Luther Perkins (Tennessee 3) |
| Douglas Marriner | W.S. Holland (Tennessee 3) |
| Justin Levine | Barry Goldberg (Newport Band ’65) |
| Mark Whitfield, Jr. | Sam Lay (Newport Band ’65) |
| Joshua Crumbley | Jerome Arnold (Newport Band ’65) |
| Felix Lemerle | Kenny Rankin (Columbia Records) |
| Malick Koly | Bruce Langhorne (Columbia Records) |
| Andre Chez Lewis | Paul Griffin (Columbia Records) |
| Jimmy Caltrider | Bobby Gregg (Columbia Records) |
| Kyle A. Sanna | Patsy Celtic Band Member |
| Patrick M. Dennis | Patsy Celtic Band Member |
| Nick Baxter | Patsy Celtic Band Member |
| Alan Murray | Musician Outside Viking #1 |
| Mark Gross | Musician Outside Viking #2 |
| Andy Stein | Musician Outside Viking #3 |
| Jean Rohe | Musician Outside Viking #4 |
| Farley Rene | Texas Prison Working Group #1 |
| Junior Cius | Texas Prison Working Group #2 |
| Travis Patton | Texas Prison Working Group #3 |
| Victor Sho | Texas Prison Working Group #4 |
| Vincent Mp Filliatre | Texas Prison Working Group #5 |
| Amos J. Machanic | Texas Prison Working Group #6 |
| Sunny Jain | Man Playing Tambourine |
| James Archie Worley | Vendor Sings Opera |
| Stephen Carter Carlsen | Paul Stookey (uncredited) |
| Bridget McGarry | Young Woman in Cocktail Dress (uncredited) |
| Michael Lepre | Cab Driver (uncredited) |
| Jon Gennari | Folk Festival Stage Manager (Uncredited) |
A Complete Unknown Movie Storyline
In the burgeoning folk scene of early 1960s New York, a young, enigmatic Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) arrives from Minnesota, guitar in hand, ready to challenge the status quo. He quickly captivates audiences at Gerde’s Folk City, his raw talent and poignant lyrics resonating with the restless spirit of the era. As Dylan’s star rises, he finds himself amidst a whirlwind of artistic collaborations and personal connections, including his complex relationship with Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), a Greenwich Village artist who becomes both his muse and his anchor. His music brings him into contact with established folk legends like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), whose traditional values clash with Dylan’s evolving sound, creating friction and forcing Dylan to confront his own artistic integrity. Amidst the pressure to conform, Albert Grossman (Dan Fogler) approaches Dylan with a proposal to manage his career. The film traces Dylan’s meteoric rise, navigating the complexities of fame, artistic compromise, and the weight of a generation’s expectations, culminating in his controversial transition to electric music at the Newport Folk Festival, a decision that both cements his legacy and alienates a portion of his devoted fanbase leaving the audience to ponder whether being a true artist involves alienating some for the sake of art.
A Complete Unknown Movie Details
Set in the burgeoning music scene of early 1960s New York City, “A Complete Unknown” tells the story of a young, enigmatic Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, as he arrives from Minnesota with little more than a guitar and a head full of revolutionary ideas. The film immerses viewers in the vibrant Greenwich Village folk circuit, where Dylan’s raw talent and unconventional approach to songwriting quickly attract attention and stir controversy. Elle Fanning embodies Sylvie Russo, a pivotal figure in Dylan’s early life, offering him both support and a window into the complex social landscape he’s navigating. As Dylan’s star rises, he encounters established figures like Pete Seeger, played by Edward Norton, who initially champions his music but later grapples with Dylan’s increasingly rebellious artistic choices. Meanwhile, Monica Barbaro embodies the iconic Joan Baez, a queen of folk music and one of Dylan’s muses and collaborators during this transformative period. Amidst the backdrop of cultural upheaval, Dylan’s journey is fraught with challenges as he confronts the expectations of the folk establishment, grapples with his own evolving identity, and ultimately reshapes American music. “A Complete Unknown” captures the exhilarating energy of a pivotal moment in music history, exploring themes of artistic integrity, the price of fame, and the power of music to ignite social change. The film also features Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman, a manager who had an instrumental role in the rise of Bob Dylan.
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A Complete Unknown Movie FAQs
What is the movie A Complete Unknown about?
The movie tells the story of a young Bob Dylan’s arrival in New York City in the early 1960s and his rise to become a revolutionary force in American music.
When is A Complete Unknown scheduled to be released?
The release date for A Complete Unknown is December 18, 2024.
Who plays Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown?
Timothee Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan.
Who are some of the other notable actors in A Complete Unknown?
The cast includes Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez.
What genres does A Complete Unknown fall into?
The movie is categorized as Drama and Music.
Who is the director of A Complete Unknown?
James Mangold is the director of the film.
What is the budget for A Complete Unknown?
The movie has a budget of $65 million.
Where does the story of A Complete Unknown take place?
The film is set in New York City, specifically the West Village, in the early 1960s.
Is A Complete Unknown based on a true story?
Yes, the movie is based on the early life and career of Bob Dylan.
Who wrote the screenplay for A Complete Unknown?
The screenplay is written by Jay Cocks and James Mangold.
