Does ‘A Complete Unknown’ Get It Right? (Explained)

[@KarstenRunquist]

favorite biopic?

[@isaiahvoss]

The Social Network (100%) I love Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross' score as under Nine Inch Nails they will be doing the score for Tron Ares this coming October of 2025. Oppenheimer stuck out to me last year as Christopher Nolan deserves the Oscar for best picture which he indeed won. His filmography is what doesn't belittle me but every film I saw does something better overtime.

[@BatSignalJammer]

Marriage story

[@Brandon-rb4sm]

@@BatSignalJammermarriage story is not a biopic

[@linatenenbaum6595]

This might not qualify as a biopic per se, but I'm Not There by Todd Haynes feels like the perfect embodiment of a life like Bob Dylan's without conforming to biopic tropes.

[@Arawn505]

Control (2007), about Ian Curtis from Joy Division the Reynolds Woodcock and Lydia Tár biopics were also just *chef's kiss*

[@mewgiah8057]

The fact that he played all the guitar parts live & actually sang is insane. Not only does he get all of Dylan’s mannerisms spot on but he’s literally performing the music and is almost identical to the source material. I think it’s a shame because I feel like Timothy is going to get overlooked at the Oscars. People are burnt on Biopics and too many people have won Oscar’s for the genre. But he’s literally the best actor to ever do a biopic and he actually deserves an Oscar. Again, I think he’s gonna get overlooked sadly.

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

There is no apostrophe in Oscars.

[@elusana]

@@skinovtheperineum1208 O’Scar’s

[@Arawn505]

Every time Karsten watches a movie, an angel loses his wings, plummeting to his death

[@iceheartqtyger]

I think this is the plot of the 1987 movie Wings of Desire

[@MrDeanWeen]

​@@iceheartqtygerwho plays Karsten?

[@WovenStockings]

It’s so hard not to fall for Timmy more after I heard about my community up north and in Minneapolis talk about his interactions w him in his visits to our state. Lots of pride! Love your hat.

[@TheFilmFatale]

Surprised you didn’t mention this but here you go: Check out the 2007 Todd Haynes *I'm Not There* for a more experimental take on the biopic genre…with (surprise!) Bob Dylan as the mercurial subject. That film addresses your issues, and more.

[@mdnghtppl0000]

its so good

[@longlivethesheet4561]

del Toro’s been glazing this movie on BlueSky, so I may go see it

[@dfqgoing_on6899]

Ew gross bluesky..

[@TobyCinema-od9wy]

Karsten we need to know your thoughts on Sonic 3.

[@isaiahvoss]

Sonic 3 was so good in theaters!

[@the_crypter]

They made 3 of those things 😮 !!!?

[@dorianorossi]

Never heard of Kirsten until now. I should go see what he said about Mufasa. No way we are going to see it but just for discussion purposes.

[@SharkBooth]

When it comes to musical biopics, the one that stands out for me is Love & Mercy following Brian Wilson.

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

Go borrow 'Eight Days A Week' from your local library.

[@dukedude7460]

A biopic I really enjoyed was Rocketman (2019), not only because it was a musical but because the musical scenes really captured the essence of Elton John, and they flowed really well with the story being told in that particular film (not to mention Taron Egerton being great in the role). As others have said, I'd highly recommend watching I'M NOT THERE (2007). Are you planning on watching or doing a review of QUEER?

[@drone124]

it's funny to hear your feedback on this movie as suffering from the "by-the-number" limitations of the genre. the other biopic on Dylan, I'm Not There, as excellent as it is, is so complex and ambitious that it fails to pin down a single truth about the songwriter. that is the point it tries to make. focusing on a single period of Dylan's career, A Complete Unknown may manage to provide more insight

[@chriswakefieldmusic]

“I’m Not There” is an incredible Bob Dylan movie that breaks free of the typical biopic trappings

[@EJD339]

Good to hear Timmothy’s performance was good because I was very put off by it in the trailers.

[@QuestionsIAskMyself]

Same

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

Who tf is Timmothy?

[@Alittleb1tter]

His performance was indeed what it looked to be like in the trailers. Not good. Make your own judgements if you choose to see it.

[@sofp]

I love Bob Dylan and i like how the movie portrayed him. A mysterious free spirited genius, somewhat boring human, ungrateful *sshole but as soon as he begins to play and sing we can do nothing else but shut our mouth and listen. He plays his guitar like he's riding his bike, recklessly. That's how music should feel. No surprise, Dylan dubbed Timmy

[@austinross7060]

Karsten, don’t sell yourself short. You’re not a complete unknown, you’re the most followed account on Letterboxd!

[@isaiahvoss]

I know this is 'A Complete Unknown', but I loved Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in theaters. It has plesantly surprised me for a video game adaptation that rarely gets a third great movie with the adaptation of Sonic Adventure 2 from the Sega Dreamcast & Shadow The Hedgehog meanwhile.. SPOILERS: I loved Gerald & Ivo Robotnik's dance scene with The Chemical Brothers as Jim Carrey can play two characters very well to the final battle with both Robotnik's vs Team Sonic & Shadow where Sonic & Shadow became both Super Sonic & Super Shadow to stop the chaos energy to end the world. It brought a great ending to the trilogy but starts a new chapter with... METAL SONIC & Amy Rose.

[@saulshlosberg]

Why does this thumbnail go insanely hard

[@vinnypag]

perfectly sums up how i felt, they focused only on how he influenced the genre growth of folk to rock and blues rather than a deep look into dylan as a person

[@christopherjarrett9067]

Really thought this was going to be terrible after that first trailer. Ended up really surprised, and like you impressed by Chalamet and Baez's actress. I'm gonna have to see her other work

[@Roseforever84]

Fellow proud Minnesotan here!

[@ricky15913]

I think it miss that part of his life. Would have made this movie better.

[@Yo1297]

An Excellent example of a biopic done differently and done well was rocket man I loved that one

[@moonxliqht]

i'm beyond excited for this movie omg. i'm curious on your thoughts on i'm not there because it is very different and weird but works so well for dylan

[@dajmasta94]

Safe is the best word to describe mangold. Him and Ron Howard feel like diet Spielberg.

[@Tyler_W]

I'm not sure I would've necessarily called Logan safe, but that tracks with just about everything else I've seen from him, not that I think this is inherently a bad thing, mind you.

[@emiliomonroy7929]

This is a pretty crazy review, so your opinion basically is that a lot of biopics but specially musical biopics are very safe and by the books and even mediocre, and this is structured just like one of those, but Bob Dylan and Timothée chalamet are just simply too goated not to shine? Like Boyb Dylan is so interesting and great and Timothée is trying to do something worthwhile and the movie is about that so it kind of saves it??????

[@stvltiloqvent]

This feels like the only worthwhile comment in this whole comment section

[@tape-6]

yeah you pretty much just summarized his review

[@HearTheTrain]

Really nice writing on this one Karsten

[@trinaq]

Possible Best Actor nomination for Timothee Chalamet, perhaps?!

[@Dethmaster64]

It would be more shocking if Tim wasn’t nominated

[@dr.snootles7421]

why, he was horrible

[@tylerhackner9731]

Also a proud Minnesota boy

[@skeletonbuyingpealts7134]

My condolences

[@JoJoJoker]

Walk Hard is the end-all be-all of music biopics. That said,‘I’m looking forward to seeing this if not only for Johnny Cash. Cash needs another movie about his life because Mangold missed a lot with Walk the Line.

[@stephencolor2010]

Fine, I'll go see it

[@trainsurfer7593]

Thank you for the review, I will see this when it comes to the UK, but like others in the comments, I'd be very interested to know your thoughts on the Todd Haynes experimental biopic on Dylan "I'm Not There" with Cate Blanchett playing the role of Dylan in this era. Very interested indeed.

[@pillbugm8914]

As long as a biopic doesn't look like a worse parody of Walk Hard I'll probably watch it.

[@stevenkarras3490]

A fantastic review ! Couldn’t agree more

[@benabramowitz18]

DAE think all modern music biopics are just Walk Hard without the jokes? (Unless I like it.)

[@sorrowzed]

where do you get your background music

[@nichelessytb]

On god

[@destinypirate]

What an eerie impression of Cate Blanchett. Not only did he get her mannerisms, voice, and style spot on, his natural demeanor creates an even more effiminized Dylan than Cate did - as he overcompensates for his lack of gravity by failing in his period targeting leers to even capture a James Dean impression, let alone the out-of-step authorship of Dylan that compelled a generation. Can't wait to see this guy in the Arnold Schwartzennager biography. He'll surely be able to bench 500 lbs as neatly as he can pinch out an authentically gravelly Dylan tone. Casting actors who've never eaten a real life punch, & who have the salt of 5th Avenue aesthete, is surely the best choice for screening the biographies of organically hardened historical artists.

[@FentanylAbuser]

Yap final boss

[@Moviemakers05]

Can't wait for mangolds swamp thing

[@Tyler_W]

I'm with you in that there are so few biopics that I really enjoy, but this does have my interest for the main performance alone. My favorite biopic probably is Oppenheimer. Elvis was a vibe, too. Do movies like Braveheart or The King count? Yeah, they're big fictionalizations of real events, but so are most traditionally labeled biopics, so I'm cheating and counting them. If they count, then those are my picks. If they don't count, then take it as a statement about my general enthusiasm toward most traditional biopics. I suppose another, more conventional contender would be Darkest Hour. Gary Oldman kills it as always.

[@hunter12555]

He’s too good for this movie guys

[@subtlesteadies]

Timmy and Karsten could pass as 2nd cousins no doubt

[@Alittleb1tter]

The women made this movie bearable. Great performances from Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning. Barbaro being a hottie is just the cherry on top.

[@stephaniemoore9122]

I saw the movie 2x. I can’t say enough accolades Chalamet was phenomenal

[@scapeagoat2520]

All I can think of is Dewey Cox

[@eddiemc86]

The wrong kid died

[@themtgdude486]

I thought it was fine. One time watch.

[@brunoactis1104]

For a moment i thought you just called Folk as a whole uninspired lol. Then i realized you ment Biopics.

[@bensneb360]

If James Mangold directs it, I’ll definitely give it a chance

[@cherrymoth3643]

Brownface in big 2024 instead of casting an actual morena latina actress for Joan Baez is insane tho

[@Luizmusic119]

Just saw the movie had a couple of thoughts, First I agree with you completely with the topic of the film which is the most overt tread. But but what's that being said? I think that it was very much appropriate if at least you want to get mainstream audiences interested in Dylan, but I think one of the biggest things and glaring problems. The film is that Timothy is just way too old to be playing. This error of Dylan sends. One thing that is prominent about Dylan during this time is as beautifulness and not saying the Timmy looks old, but he certainly isn't. The Spring chicken that you would have been 4 years ago when the movie was originally casted, but with that being said, i thought he was very convincing in the move with it being it clear that he not only capturing this era but all of dylan. What I very much loved about the film is that it just shows so much love for Dylan's music period now, when I first heard the recordings of the song that they had put on for the trailers, I was initially worried since I kinda just sounded like. They were putting on the voice but when you listen to the context of the movie, not Only is the audio near Perfect but as well as the performances Feel authentic and not forced like some other biopics, and Finally overall, I think that the movie shows a love and appreciation For Now Only Dylan but also this PERIOD of time so. I think that it makes up for its shortcomings very much with a simple fact

[@timetheory84]

Haven't seen it, but from what I observe based on scenes and trailer, they get the dynamic between Baez and Dylan wrong. They try to make her seem more rough edged and independent than she actually was. She was completely attached and in love with Bob. But the movie seems to make it look like they were on equal footing in that regard. Also, they got the harmonica holder wrong. It doesn't look like Bob's original one. Perhaps they couldn't track it down.

[@OllieOKane40489]

Frustrating that not many people seem to be aware the best version of this story already exists. I'm Not There is the complete antidote to conventional Hollywood wikipedia skim biopics. It's an experimental take on the 'idea' of Dylan's mystique and iconography, split across numerous actors in an attempt to understand a musician thats's somewhat unknowable. It's an epic film that goes against cliche and is definitely worth a watch.

[@pinedesertsports]

saw the movie on the 24th in the theater

[@SL4PSH0CK]

i straight notice how Timothee slouch forward like how Bob Dylan tries to inconspicuously avoid the cameras 😁

[@seancurran3944]

I thought it was pretty good. Like Bob Dylan or not his songs are immortal.

[@yabuki4608]

MN boys stand up !!!!

[@laurashin3056]

Karsten the bg music in this vid was so good I listened to your ad bc I wanted to hear more of it could someone prithee ID the tracks

[@DWHarper62]

Thanks for your opinion on "musical biopics"... Now review the movie called A Complete Unknown...

[@blanceusbalncs9800]

What’s the song in the background?

[@naruske97]

Karsten,I looked the screen fast qnd for a second I thoight ypu were dressed up like the dude from The Polar Express LMAO

[@originaozz]

I don't think this film will be bad and I really like James Mangold's "Walk the Line", but it's existence just irritates me. Just tired of Hollywood greenlighting another musical biopic that will never capture the whole scope of an artist life while wasting good cast on a web search. It does remind me that I have to watch "I'm Not There". Might not be accurate, might even suck, but it at least doesn't pretend to be accurate, just illustrate.

[@maximilian6830]

You do know the girls real name was suze rotolo

[@colinrobert6766]

Ayo, I didn’t know you were Minnesotan?? I’m Minnesotan

[@nickpolidor]

I love movies

[@user-wy9no4zq1w]

I didn't know you're Minnesotan

[@LindsayBallif]

Films bros in the comments are gonna attack me but Rocketman is the best biopic because music should contribute to the story. Biopics should be a musical. ITS MORE ENTERTAINING! I am biased though, as a theatre kid.

[@HanselJesusMoyaRivera]

I’ll be too busy watching nosferatu

[@QuestionsIAskMyself]

Double feature 😜

[@juanignaciomontoya8408]

The movie about dylan that is less conventional and talks about being an artist and how that change your identity allready exosts, its im not there

[@larryzink8978]

dylans secret key was ...

[@malakhaipearson]

Wasn’t bad at all!

[@PayArcanum]

Sonic 3?

[@ghostlightning]

I deeply suspect anyone using minors to speak on behalf of their interests.

[@CoNiCuZn]

As long as it isn’t as cringe as the Queen biopic…the scene where Freddy plays Bohemian Rhapsody on the piano while facing backwards was god awful. You’re trying to tell me that’s how it happened?😂

[@hi-five4960]

A Hollywood Dylan biopic is completely opposed to what Bob Dylan did for culture. It's a paradox.

[@ayerob1845]

Dylan cosigned it tho

[@raymondrjstanford]

How so? Dylan was counterculture but then became one of the most revered cultural icons of the 20th Century.

[@ayerob1845]

And he also wrote lines in the script i think

[@pumitriii6160]

You don't become as wealthy, popular and well known as Bob Dylan if you're _truly_ "counter-cultural". I would say the making of this movie is very much in line with the real Bob Dylan.

[@ayerob1845]

@@pumitriii6160 exactly, which is why i have the belief that its impossible to perfectly emulate someone. we can embody the core mannerisms, morals and values but humans are unpredictable. we can say "well (insert celebrity) would never do this!" But would they really tho? If that makes sense

[@kolbyquayle9920]

I hope this films depictions weren’t accurate. If there were bob dylan and Joan bias are both was shittier people than I hoped and believed

[@tncamuel]

Skol Vikes

[@blitztim6416]

Hmm? I thought it was very good.

[@idkanymore790]

I was almost the first one here dammit

[@Eskewsme]

You're one of those people that says "that tracks" ... which wasn't even a phrase until like 2 years ago. So there's no way I'll ever watch another video. Get your own material.

[@destinypirate]

Horrific casting from the Vidal Sassoon department. Excepting Ms. Barbaro, these posh'd millenials lack 1/1000th of the gravity and life experience needed to begin conveying artist who captured the spirit of a culture being torn in two.

[@Alittleb1tter]

Barbaro has an incredible future ahead of her. She has something that can't be taught, that spark and beautiful charisma. I need more of her talent and hotness on screen.

[@destinypirate]

@Alittleb1tter She does and I would venture that. She has some unique life experience or parentage. Behind you that gave her a well of experience to draw upon for her acting. And yes, she's a natural beauty. Rare In this era of polished plastic and filters

[@FULLtiltSENDER]

3 out of five? So a 60% ur saying this is a d movie? Yeah you’re full of shit buddy

[@ismailsayyed5596]

Wdy think ABT I'm not there the Bob Dylan biopic

[@DavidK-wg8wz]

god im so fucking sick of musical biopics

[@Babobooo]

Lol proud Minnesota boy. Your state is basically somalia

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

This movie didn't even touch the topic of how Dylan's brain got fried to a crisp. But that's OK, it had Elle Fanning in it.

[@timetheory84]

You don't know much about Bob then. His brain never got fried. There is this false perception from uneducated people out there that Bob was some big druggie. It was only in the time frame right after the years the movie covers that he dabbled some. Was never an addict.