The first reactions to the biographical film of Bob Dylan A Complete Stranger they praise Timothée Chalamet for offering “the performance of the year.”
The film, directed by James Mangoldchronicles Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic to electric guitar in the mid-1960s, will be released in US cinemas on December 25, and in the UK on January 17.
Chalamet stars alongside Edward Norton (Pete Seeger) and Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo, a fictional version of Dylan’s first New York girlfriend, Suze Rotolo, who died in 2011) the film which is based on the book by Elijah Wald 2015 Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, And The Night That Split The Sixties.
What the first reactions say about A Complete Stranger
Members of the press were offered previews of the film and many praised Chalamet’s performance.
Film critic Scott Menzel wrote: “Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Stranger. A true tour de force in which Chalamet never appears. Chalamet’s performance is not just about voice and appearance, but rather all the little nuances and gestures that he seamlessly brings to life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Excellent supporting performances also from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.”
Variety’s senior awards editor Clayton Davis also praised Chalamet and his co-stars.
He said: “Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with a natural but focused determination. Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it is Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning who support the story of an illusory and mysterious man who remains in that sphere. James Mangold directs with confidence, with magnificent sets and costumes. A lot of respect for one of the best to do it.”
Meanwhile, Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist called the film “magnificent” and “surprisingly moving,” adding: “Chalamet is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is amazing. “We need a film derived from Joan Baez.”
Awards Buzz editor Abe Friedtanzer also said: “A Complete Stranger looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that really comes to life when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well chosen, but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger”.
However, Not all reactions were positive.. Los Angeles film critic Ryan Swen used Dylan’s lyrics to describe his reaction. “It’s vile and deceitful, it’s cruel and it’s mean. The ugliest thing you’ve ever seen,” he posted before adding that the film “It wasn’t terrible, but it often failed. Chalamet does his bestconsiderably better in the 1961 section than in the frequently incoherent/inaccurate 1965.”
A Complete Stranger hits US theaters on December 24.
Source: Ambito
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