Timothée Chalamet’s Style and Voice in A Complete Unknown vs. Bob Dylan

Timothée Chalamet takes on the challenging role of Bob Dylan in the upcoming film A Complete Unknown, inviting comparisons of his portrayal with the legendary musician both visually and vocally. As a revered songwriter, Bob Dylan’s influence on music is undeniable, earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 for his exceptional lyricism. Frequently referred to as the voice of a generation, Dylan has often distanced himself from this label in his autobiographical works.

The wealth of documentaries and films about Bob Dylan is a testament to his impact on folk music and rock ‘n’ roll. A Complete Unknown, set for release on Christmas 2024, adds to this extensive collection of biopics. This film features Chalamet showcasing not only his acting skills but also his singing capabilities, as seen in the film’s trailer, where he undergoes an impressive transformation for the role.

Visual Similarities: Timothée Chalamet and Bob Dylan

The Transformation Process Behind Chalamet’s Look

Throughout A Complete Unknown, Chalamet bears a striking resemblance to Dylan, a feat made possible through the hard work of the makeup and hair teams. According to a Variety report, both actors share curly hair, though Chalamet’s is more wavy, while Dylan’s is distinctly kinkier. The film’s hair department, led by Jaime Leigh McIntosh, skillfully adapted Chalamet’s hairstyle with significant alterations, including a wig for certain scenes.

Comparative Analysis Table

Trait	Timothée Chalamet	Bob Dylan
Height	5 feet, 10 inches	5 feet, 7 inches
Eyes	Blue & hazel (appears green)	Blue
Hair Color	Brown with warm undertones	Brown with warm undertones
Hair Texture	Wavy curly	Kinky curly

While Chalamet’s face shape shares similarities with Dylan’s, they also differ, prompting the makeup team to take careful measures for accuracy. Throughout the film, Chalamet utilizes a prosthetic nose, and to mirror Dylan’s youthful appearance, he employed internal cheek plumpers. These were later removed to reflect Dylan’s more angular features as his career progressed. This meticulous attention to detail indeed enabled the hair and makeup teams to successfully embody Bob Dylan in Chalamet’s portrayal.

Auditory Comparisons: Chalamet as Bob Dylan

Capturing Dylan’s Unique Vocal Style

Timothée Chalamet performing as Bob Dylan

The debate regarding Bob Dylan’s vocal abilities is polarizing among fans and critics alike. Dylan’s voice is characterized by its distinct gritty, nasal quality, marked by his unique pronunciation. His early works echo with raw energy, while his speaking style is often described as fluid, with words blending seamlessly. Impressively, Chalamet captures both the speaking and singing voice of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.

Many of Chalamet’s renditions closely resemble Dylan’s original recordings, although at times his voice demonstrates a polish that speaks to his diaphragm control without sacrificing the essence of Dylan’s vocal style. This accomplishment is especially notable as the film features authentic, live music recordings. Chalamet’s speaking voice aligns impressively with Dylan’s, a result of rigorous preparation and collaboration with numerous coaches including:

Vocal Coach: Eric Vetro
Dialect Coach: Tim Monich
Guitar Coach: Larry Saltzman
Harmonica Coaches: Ross Garren and Rob Paparozzi
Movement Coach: Polly Bennett

This in-depth coaching has led to early praise in reviews, highlighting how convincingly Chalamet embodies Bob Dylan’s essence in appearance, voice, and mannerisms.

Bob Dylan’s Feedback on Chalamet’s Performance

Endorsement from the Legend Himself

There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!). Timothée Chalamet is starring in the lead role. 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 film’s taken from Elijah… — Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) December 4, 2024

Chalamet expressed appreciation for Dylan’s praise in a response to the original post on Twitter/X. The mutual admiration between the two artists showcases a respect that adds additional credibility to A Complete Unknown among both fans and critics.

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