While it will be released at Christmas in the United States, a few selected members of the press were able to see the Bob Dylan biopic A Perfect Strangerdirected by James Mangold.
In 2005, James Mangold shone with Walk The Linea biopic dedicated to Johnny Cash, carried by Joaquin Phœnix and Reese Witherspoon. So, when the director announced in 2020 that he was embarking on the creation of a film dedicated to the life of Bob Dylan, it was with a mixture of impatience and apprehension that the news was received. Especially since it will have to happen after the incredible I’m Not There by Todd Haynes released in 2007, a hallucinatory biopic of Rimbaud you rock.
It must be said that Mangold is capable of being close to the stars (Copland, 3 a.m. to Yuma, Logan), such as designing pure uninviting operating products (Knight and Day or Indiana Jones 5). Pour A complete stranger (A Complete Unknown in the original version), Timothée Chalamet slipped into the shoes of Bob Dylan, assisted by Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton in the role of Pete Seeger. The musical trailer forA Perfect Stranger had aroused a certain curiosity and some privileged people have already been able to see the film. Tweet review.
A complete stranger
“Unbelievable, A Complete Stranger. Timothée Chalamet's performance is top-notch. James Mangold and his entire team pull off a technical feat, from sound and editing, to costumes, cinematography and production design, to the intricacies of makeup and hair. I loved it. » Jazz Tangcay – Variety
“Chalamet is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spinoff movie. » Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist
“Timothée Chalamet slips into the skin of Bob Dylan with a natural and effortless characterization. He is not afraid of anything in certain hypnotic moments. For me, it's Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning who give weight to the story of an enigmatic and mysterious man who remains in the shadows. James Mangold directs the film with confidence, with magnificent sets and costumes. Huge respect to one of the best for achieving this. » Clayton Davis – Variety
“Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Perfect Stranger. A true tour de force where we never see Chalamet because his performance is not limited to the voice and the look, but rather to all the little nuances and all the subtleties that he perfectly displays in his interpretation of Bob Dylan. Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger are also very good supporting roles. » Scott Menzel – We Live Entertainment
“A Perfect Stranger is absolutely incredible. It lasts almost 2h30, but it goes by quickly. The musical performances are perfectly placed, the story is captivating. Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning and Edward Norton all deliver unforgettable performances. I am amazed. » Tessa Smith – ScreenRant
“A Perfect Stranger is a standard biopic that comes to life when its iconic characters passionately play music together. Timothée Chalamet is a good casting choice, but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. » Abe Friedtanzer – Movies with Abe
« [Citant un poème de Bob Dylan, ndlr] It’s vile and deceitful – it’s cruel and wicked. The ugliest thing you've ever seen. » Ryan Care – 24 Hours Don’t Make an Ideology
Most critics unanimously praise the acting performance of Timothée Chalamet, who seems to have managed to forget himself to bring out the real Dylan on screen. Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton would not be outdone, and would manage to play a very credible Joan Baez and Pete Seeger. The press did not fail to highlight the very convincing musical performances of the actors. A Perfect Stranger will be released on December 25, 2024 in the United States and January 29, 2025 in French cinemas.
