NEW YORK — What does it take to embody the essence of Bob Dylan on screen? For Timothée Chalamet, it has been a substantial journey spread over nearly six years as he prepared for his role in “A Complete Unknown.” His commitment has led him to visit Dylan’s formative hometown, learn to play both the guitar and harmonica, and delve deeply into the New York of the early 1960s—the period that shaped Dylan’s musical identity, despite the shadows of history that have since obscured it.
Chalamet recalls a visit to Cafe Wha? where he discovered the remnants of the music scene from Dylan’s era, noting the auras of legends like Jimi Hendrix juxtaposed against modern influences, saying, “I was like: I don’t think this is what it was like when Bob was here.” With a profound dedication to his craft, Chalamet has even been spotted performing Dylan’s songs in various costumes on other film sets, including while portraying Willy Wonka.
Despite initial skepticism from colleagues, including Oscar Isaac, who portrayed a Dylan-esque singer in “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the reactions to Chalamet’s performance in the James Mangold-directed film have been overwhelmingly positive. The film is set to hit theaters on December 25, and Chalamet has already received a Golden Globe nomination. If he secures an Oscar, he would potentially become the youngest actor to do so for Best Actor.
Even Dylan himself has acknowledged Chalamet’s talent, stating, “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.” The narrative of “A Complete Unknown” is loosely derived from Elijah Wald’s book, “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties,” and illustrates the transformative journey of Dylan from a neophyte to a controversial figure, culminating in the iconic 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Recently, Chalamet opened up about his formidable undertaking in embodying such a legendary figure. He reflected on the heavy expectations tied to portraying someone whose influence permeates American culture over the past sixty years. He emphasized the importance of being prepared for such a challenging role, particularly one belonging to a musician whose work evokes powerful emotions and memories.
Chalamet began his journey by immersing himself in Dylan’s world. Initially, Dylan was merely a name associated with his father’s circle. However, a significant breakthrough came when Chalamet stumbled upon footage of a 1965 San Francisco press conference, which unveiled the artist’s depth, showcasing both his artistic genius and intellect—traits he finds rare and vital in entertainers today.
Chalamet highlighted D.A. Pennebaker’s documentary “Don’t Look Back” as crucial in understanding Dylan’s raw and unfiltered persona, which he adopted as a guide through his preparation process. The documentary resonated with him as it captures Dylan’s essence in a way that conventional biographical formats do not.
To further embody the role, Chalamet picked up a guitar for the first time while filming “Call Me By Your Name,” and later took lessons from a teacher named Larry Saltzman throughout the pandemic, where they shared a mutually beneficial creative journey. He embraced a wide variety of Dylan’s songs, ranging from the deeply personal to the broader cuts, finding resonance in the stories contained in Dylan’s work.
Exploring Dylan’s tumultuous ascent to fame and the burden of expectations laid upon him paralleled some unspoken challenges in Chalamet’s own career. He expressed a sense of empowerment in portraying someone who defiantly rejected societal pressures to conform.
Chalamet also reflected on Dylan’s 1963 Tom Paine Award acceptance speech—a moment underscored by a youthful defiance against older generations’ notions of leadership in artistry. He shared insights on what he would like to convey to Dylan if given the chance to meet him: profound gratitude for his artistry and influence.
To forge a deeper connection to the role, Chalamet retraced Dylan’s early steps through the Midwest to capture the essence of his upbringing. His travels included locales like Duluth, Hibbing, and Chicago, aiming to feel the energies of these foundational places without trying to overintellectualize the experience. He realized that while the contexts had changed, the spirit of Dylan’s journey and the essence of artistic pursuit remained timeless.
Feeling transformed by this long-term endeavor, Chalamet indicated that this experience has added new layers to his artistry. He noted that while he cannot speculate on how the final product will be received, the journey itself has been filled with dignity and has provided him with invaluable insights into the art of storytelling through performance—an ethos reflective of Dylan’s own life’s work.
