Notice: The following section contains SPOILERS for A Complete Unknown!
The Evolution of A Complete Unknown
The director and lead of A Complete Unknown, James Mangold, along with star Boyd Holbrook, revealed a fascinating tidbit about the film’s development. Their decision to integrate the character of Johnny Cash into the narrative was sparked by the discovery of historical letters exchanged between Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. This choice marked a significant pivot from the original source material, Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric, which primarily chronicles Dylan’s transformative 1965 performance at the Newport Folk Festival.
A Deep Dive into Creative Discoveries
During an insightful discussion with Entertainment Weekly, Holbrook shared that although he auditioned for various roles, it was only after Mangold’s research into Dylan’s life that the opportunity to portray Johnny Cash emerged. The director had previously explored Cash’s story in his acclaimed 2005 movie, Walk the Line, yet was unaware that Cash and Dylan shared a pen-pal relationship, as the letters were long lost. To enrich the dialogue in A Complete Unknown, Mangold incorporated material sourced from these letters, showcasing a rare glimpse into the lives of two legendary musicians.
Boyd Holbrook: The Johnny Cash part wasn’t in [the book] Going Electric. It was only after doing some research with Bob that [Jim] found out that Johnny and Bob were pen pals. He didn’t know that when he made Walk the Line.
He found them through Bob. That really tells you which person is which. I read those and they’re great, man. They’re on the back of airplane sickness bags. These guys are at the pinnacle of their lives, road dogs traveling in the isolation of maximum fame. They’re a big insight into them and their lives and what made them tick.
James Mangold: It’s a beautiful series of letters. Johnny started writing to Bob after his Freewheelin’ album came out.
What This Means for A Complete Unknown
The Movie Draws Inspiration From Reality
The film creatively portrays the friendship that blossomed between Cash and Dylan through their exchanged letters, ultimately culminating in a meeting at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964. However, historical accounts suggest that their initial encounter predates this festival. According to Dylan’s eulogy for Cash, the two first crossed paths in a hotel room in New York City, contradicting the film’s timeline.
In their interview, Mangold, now regarded as an authority on both artists after directing their biopics, elaborated on how he differentiated their narratives. Although A Complete Unknown includes Cash, the portrayal diverges significantly from his earlier film. He articulated that despite the overlap in themes, each biopic presents a distinct perspective on their musical journeys together.
I found myself watching Boyd sing a song that Joaquin sang 20 years ago in a different movie, but the movies have such entirely different perspectives. Johnny Cash is crossing through the New York Folk world because he was such a fan of all music and was an early advocate of Bob’s. It’s a very different story, but one that does overlap.
Analyzing Johnny Cash’s Role in A Complete Unknown
A Compelling Musical Biopic, Within Creative Liberties
The film’s narrative takes creative liberties beyond just the introduction of Johnny Cash, altering various key relationships within the storyline. For instance, Joan Baez’s meeting with Dylan is depicted differently; rather than an informal encounter at an open mic, Baez was already a prominent figure by the time their paths crossed. Such modifications, while not historically precise, serve to craft a more relatable story for contemporary audiences, bringing Dylan’s music to a new generation.
A Complete Unknown has garnered significant acclaim, currently rated at 96% among audiences and 79% by critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers appreciate the complex and engaging relationships portrayed throughout the film. In a review by Screen Rant, critic Mae Abdulbaki highlighted Timothée Chalamet’s “solid performance,”the “lasting impression”of Barbaro as Joan Baez, and Edward Norton’s compelling role as Pete Seeger.
For more details, you can visit the source: EW
Additional insights and imagery can be found at: Screen Rant
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