The Pursuit of Greatness: A Bob Dylan Biopic

The aspiration to accomplish more is a shared motif that fuels the masses— to create, innovate, and perfect. In the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet exemplifies this in his portrayal of Dylan’s success. Soon after the movie's groundbreaking premier, Chalamet shares his end goal of being a legend, an icon in the acting industry. In doing so, both he and Bob Dylan shatter societal norms in their pursuit of greatness.

PHOTO: Screenlight Pictures

Prior to 1961, Bob Dylan was a complete unknown in New York City, aspiring to become a beloved musician. He sang folk music, a genre renowned for remaining unchanged amidst the rapid currents of development at the time. The consistency of folk music provided a sense of security for many, allowing them to rely on the classic hymns that had been sung for decades. In Dylan’s debut album, he adhered closely to this style, performing covers of famous classics with only two original compositions. While his rise didn’t happen overnight, he gradually gained traction, and by the release of his second record, Bob Dylan had become a household name. With a title like The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, it’s only fitting that the songs on this album reflected Dylan’s freewheelin’ nature by including many original compositions.

As Bob Dylan grew more relevant, he became correspondingly defiant through his music. Released in 1964, his third album, The Times They Are a-Changin', was composed entirely of original songs. Not only that, but these songs challenged many renowned socio-political views, shattering the overarching walls of injustice at the time and paving the way for a more equitable future. He addressed topics ranging from racism to economic disparities and even the Vietnam war, all while promoting welfare and healing the minds of millions through his music. Just when Dylan was seemingly beloved by all, he altered his folk style, sending shockwaves through the music community and dividing many of his supporters. He released the album titled Bringing It All Back Home, which incorporated electric instruments and a rock-and-roll band. This choice challenged the traditionally still nature of folk music; playing it with the boldness of an electric guitar seemed blasphemous to many. At the height of this controversy, he performed at the annual Newport Folk Festival in 1965—a defining moment in his career. With every strum of his electric guitar, the crowd grew restless. Booing in anger, they voiced their disapproval, yet Dylan persisted through the show before concluding with the acoustic classic "Mr. Tambourine Man."

Reflecting on Bob Dylan’s career, it is clear that he knew these actions would have repercussions—he simply didn’t care. He was unabashedly himself through musical expression and didn’t mind if his decisions caused backlash, as they were his to make. By believing that his music was his own and not defined by the expectation of others, Bob Dylan achieved musical greatness on his own terms, simultaneously shattering the conventions of his industry and the expectations of his supporters.

Through his depiction of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet paves his own path to greatness, taking on one stellar role after another. As he accepted an award at the Screen Actors Guild ceremony, Chalamet emulated Bob Dylan through his unconventional acceptance speech, breaking several unwritten rules. He stated, “I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.” This speech perplexed many, with some calling it arrogant and distasteful. The truth is, everyone strives for greatness in one way or another; the ones who openly state it are simply authentic. Timothée Chalamet’s overt honesty displays courage, and it is only fitting he was chosen to play the coveted role of Bob Dylan.