A Complete Unknown: The 1961-1965 Bob Dylan Story

My older (& only) sister, Jo, turned me on to Bob Dylan when his first record, "Bob Dylan," was released in 1962.  The album was mostly covers, and I didn't like his voice much.  In 1963, however, he released the great "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," which included "Blowin' in the Wind" & "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall."  His lyrics were incredible, and I even started to like his unique, nasal voice.  My sister was really swept up in the folk music scene.  She had lots of albums by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Dave Van Ronk, Tim Hardin, Tim Buckley, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul, and Mary, among others, and I listened along with her.  She had a Martin steel string guitar and was a very good singer/songwriter.  Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to make it in the music business, so she became an excellent litigator instead.  (She still had a flair for the dramatic in her opening and closing arguments.) This wonderful film, directed by James Mongold, covers the time period from 1961 – when Dylan was 20 – until the 1965 Newport Fold Festival, when Dylan shocked the folk music world by going electric and leaving protest songs behind.  What I loved about the movie is that it's about 50% music.  It's great to hear many of the Dylan classics, as well as great songs by the other folk artists.  The movie captures the aloofness, arrogance, charisma, creativity, and genius of Dylan (Timothee Chalamet).  He will probably win (and deserves) the AA for Best Actor.  Chalamet really nails Dylan's gestures, facial expressions, and voice.  The cast is incredible, with many AA worthy performances.  Elle Fanning shines as Sylvie Russo, Dylan's girlfriend.  (His girlfriend's name in real life is Suze Rotolo.  Suze was on the cover with Dylan on the "Freewheelin" album.)  Ed Norton excels as Pete Seeger.  I was blown away by Monica Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez.  I wouldn't be surprised if all of them get AA nominations. Everyone of these actors sing the songs.  There is no dubbing.  The soundtrack is terrific and, at times, I was spellbound.  I really enjoyed some of the songs when Dylan is writing and playing the song on his guitar for the first time, when you witness the creative process in action.  You must see this film at the theatres, since a great sound system is required.  What was also interesting about the movie is that many of the songs in the soundtrack coincided with the historical time when the events were happening.  For example, "Masters of War" is sung during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  If you are a Dylan fan, it's a MUST-SEE, but even if Dylan's fame and greatness was before your time, the movie is well worth the trip.  If you don't see it, I might get "Tangled Up in Blue."