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Rolling Stone Music Now

Where Do Music Biopics Go After 'A Complete Unknown'?

Jan 19, 2025
Andy Greene, a music biopic contributor, joins the conversation about the recent success of 'A Complete Unknown' featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan. The talk navigates the challenges of capturing iconic stories while appealing to new generations. Greene explores upcoming biopics like those about Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles, discussing the artistic choices filmmakers face. The significance of authenticity, commercial viability, and the potential for biopics on artists like Fleetwood Mac and Prince are also examined, highlighting the mythologization of music legends.
53:43

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • The film 'A Complete Unknown' has achieved critical acclaim and Oscar buzz, primarily due to Timothée Chalamet's star power and performance.
  • Artistic liberties taken in music biopics, like the rearrangement of historical events, often enhance audience engagement despite potential backlash from purists.

Deep dives

The Success of A Complete Unknown

The biopic 'A Complete Unknown,' which focuses on a pivotal period in Bob Dylan's life, has garnered both commercial and critical acclaim. Featuring Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, the film has sparked significant Oscar buzz despite not winning at the Golden Globes. While it does not boast blockbuster numbers like major superhero films, it is performing admirably at the box office for its genre. The film's artistic success is attributed in part to the star power of Chalamet, which helped elevate its profile and draw in audiences.

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