Bob Dylan, the illustrious American folk rock singer, who’s music was a spark in the light of protest in the civil rights movement. His lyrics won him a Nobel prize in literature, making him the first musician to ever receive it. As well as 40 studio albums, 21 live albums, and 104 singles under his belt,  cementing him as an icon of the 1960s and beyond.(Full discography) Though his fans from back in the day are still proud and many, the new generation have been lured into the classic stylings of Dylan with the release of A Complete Unknown, a biopic about the star’s adult life and his climb to fame; starring critically acclaimed actor Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan.

For a good deal of people born after the turn of the century, this movie has been their first real introduction to Dylan, his music and his life story, beyond just his name.

“I had never even really heard of him,” said sophomore Madelyn Porter. “I asked my mom about him, and she said he was this bigger icon from the 60s and 70s. I wasn’t really sure what a folk singer was, or what that music sounded like.”

For this teen this was the first time she’d really been exposed to Dylan, and likely wouldn’t have sought out his rock infused American traditional melodies on her own. Porter, who said she likely wouldn’t have looked for this type of music on her own, said  she’s picked up a whole new perspective on oldies music after seeing the film and hearing the snappy easy on the ear tunes. The face of the production : Timothée Chalamet is what led Porter to the theater in the first place. The stars are what attract many to see these blasts from the past that they might have never given a chance before.

“Surprisingly I actually liked it,” Porter said.  “I’m not really a fan of older music, but as I listened to the songs throughout the movie, it was actually pretty good. I would probably listen to his music again.”

While this film revolves around music, It’s still a retelling of star’s life, and doesn’t just pile on the most popular songs; instead it showcases ones that were the most significant to his story whether they were Dylan’s owns songs, Joan Baezs’s , or Pete Seeger’s

“I felt like they included some of the most important music to him and his journey,” said Senior Alisa Haber, who grew up around his music.  “They didn’t choose his top hits as a cash grab but chose ones to illustrate his life best.”

Biopics as a whole have risen in popularity over the last few years, especially retellings of the glory days of the loudest and proudest rock stars that sang for change. In the last seven years viewers have seen Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody, Elton John in Rocketman, and David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust himself in Moonage Daydream. These “Rock-umentaries” continue to entertain the masses by taking memories of crowded concert halls to comfy quiet theater chairs. Giving the audience a glimpse of who the stars were beyond the stage, but still capturing their alluring presence, wrapped in their notorious sense of rebellion.

Viewers not only adore seeing phenoms they admire in a more first hand point of view, but they like seeing some of their favorite celebrities really taking on these iconic roles. One of the most notable, was Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, which was highly praised, winning him an Oscar and the hearts of Queen fans everywhere. Malek’s ability to really take on who Freddie Mercury was not only as a performer but as a symbol of civil disobedience as a gay man during the AIDS crisis, really set the stage for many films like it after its release.

The portrayer is as important as the portrayed in these biopic films, Timothee Chalamet after being chosen to play Bob Dylan, prepared five years for the role.(More info here) Though mostly due to COVID delays, his years of preparation seem to pay off greatly in the end. Viewers touch on how his vocals were amazingly accurate and moving at times, along with the mannerisms he seemed to master really encapsulating the persona of Bob Dylan

“Timothee Chalamet nails his voice, his vocals are so emotional and riveting” said  Haber. “His mannerisms were so on point overall he was impressive to watch.”

After seeing Dylan’s customary stoic attitude on the screen, and getting to witness his strong grip on 60s and 70s culture, the audience left with an admiration for his impact not only on American folk music but on the civil rights movement. Porter talks about an influential message she carried with her out of the theater, that she feels is important to share with people.

“He wasn’t concerned with what people think. He was just concerned with playing what he loved,”Porter said. “He was like ‘No, I’m doing my own thing.’ I think that’s a really good reminder to people, just do you, don’t go and do anything for anyone,”

Haber mentions his effects and what our culture would have been without his impacts, helping in bringing us to the modern world we know today.

“I admire Bob Dylan and I see him as a national icon,” said Haber. “He contributed so much to American and Folk music and his impact is so prevalent. His contribution were so important to so many people especially in the civil rights movement, it connected so many people without him the culture would have just been a facsimile”

With this movie being the first time some youngsters were meeting Dylan they have said they have found a profound respect for him after getting to watch his life play out across the screen.

“I had a newfound respect for him,” said Porter “I didn’t really know who he was, but after seeing his movie and knowing all the things that he’s been through, and all the trends he’s started.”

However Dylan was not portrayed as some superman of music and civil justice, he was shown for what he was, a man. Audiences enjoy seeing him be human on screen, reminding the public that, that is what our icons and heroes of today and yesterday are and always will be: human beings.

“Although he is a flawed man with personal issues brought up multiple times throughout this movie, it just stands to show he was a human too, and celebrities are people too,” Haber said.

Whether you’ve been a fan your whole life, or you’re discovering the great Bob Dylan today, the movie A Complete Unknown has been widely reviewed and Chalamet’s performance loved. Even if “The Times are a Changin” Dylan will forever be an icon and an inspiration. If you are a movie watcher or a music listener it may be worth the watch.

“I left the movie theater humming,” Haber said.