Apologies for the long post.
I saw A Complete Unknown yesterday. It was a mixed bag, I thought. I didn't think the story telling was that clear. There is a fascinating story here of a really interesting young man who hits the folk scene with his amazing songwriting talent and then proceeds to lead a revolution that explodes the sacred rules of folk music. The film only makes this clear in its third act when they let the music speak for itself, which is when the film suddenly becomes fascinating.
I don't know much about Dylan and Baez, but I am struck by the fact that they were so young during this period and yet made work of superlative artistry and intelligence. They were both serious about their art and made music that supported the civil rights movement. It was hard to watch the film without comparing what they stood for to America today which is destroying the commitment to humanity that they achieved.
I saw the film with a young relative who is at the age that Baez and Dylan were in those days. She couldn't quite get a handle on their music because it is proper poetry and therefore so different to music today. After the film I listened to Baez song Diamonds and Rust about her love for Dylan and it is so moving. I had to listen over and over again.
The script doesn't really serve these incredible artists. I wish that the film had been about both Baez and Dylan instead of just Dylan because doing that would have strengthened the characterisation of both. The film just scratches the surface, I believe.
I am not entirely convinced by Chalamet's portrayal of Dylan. The script doesn't give him the opportunity to dig deeper. After the film I watched an interview with the real young Dylan. What a fascinating character: a bit nervous, on edge, oodles of an unusual charisma, but aware of the power of his gift and committed to using it, to stand up for the innovations that he was making in his field. Amazing young person.
I still give the film 4 stars because it opened something up for me. I am going to listen to and read about folk music of that era and find out more about Baez in particular.