Music biopics tend to follow a formula; an artist reflects on their life moments before a big/important performance. It became such a trope that it was lampooned in 2007's "Walk Hard." That has made watching a music biopic and avoiding comparisons to "Walk Hard" impossible.

"A Complete Unknown" looks at the first four years of the career of Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) from 1961 to his decision to go electric in 1965 and anger many in the folk community.

I love the decision to focus on a specific period in Dylan's life and not try to cover all of it. Those four years were some of the most prolific and vital of his career. It allows you to see a microcosm of what makes Dylan great. If it had covered everything, it would have become repetitive. His life before becoming famous is not important, so it is better to focus on why Dylan is beloved.

Chalamet is fantasic as Dylan. He worked with a vocal coach and took guitar and harmonica lessons to embody the legendary singer better. And embody Dylan he does. I was never entirely sure if Chalamet was doing his own singing (he did) because he sounded so much like Dylan. It is well known that Dylan is a bit of a jerk. "A Complete Unknown" doesn't shy away from this aspect of his character. He knows what he wants and is quick to ignore the advice or help of others, and he is not always nice about it.

The best example is his relationship with Pete Seeger (Edward Norton). Seeger helped Dylan break into the folk music scene. Dylan was made famous at the Newport Folk Festival, and when Seeger heard rumblings that Dylan would use electric instruments at the 1974 festival, he tried to convince him to use acoustic. He uses people for their help, and when he feels like they can't help him anymore, he shuts them out.

This past week, "A Complete Unknown" was nominated for a bunch of Oscars. I am sure it will take a few home come Oscar night. I don't think it would have made my Top 10 list, but I still think this one is worth checking out.

6/10

Rated R for language

2h 21m