Bob Dylan’s biopic, A Complete Unknown, was expected to cart home several awards at the 97th Academy Awards. With eight nominations in major categories, including Best Picture and Best Actor, there were high chances of at least one Oscar win. However, despite the high expectations, the film did not take home a single award.
However, the surprises didn’t end there. Bob Dylan, who had been invited to present an award and perform at the ceremony, declined the Academy’s offer. This decision sparked discussions throughout the night, leading to humorous jokes from the ceremony’s host and presenters. While Dylan’s music was at the heart of A Complete Unknown, his absence became one of the biggest talking points of the evening.
Mick Jagger referred to himself as the younger Bob Dylan during his presentation
His absence was more pronounced when Mick Jagger took the stage to present the award for Best Original Song, a category in which Dylan’s film belonged. While announcing the winner, Jagger mentioned that he wasn’t the Academy’s first choice for the role. “The producers wanted Bob Dylan to do it,” he said. “Bob didn’t want to do it because he’s had the best songs this year, well, obviously, in the movie A Complete Unknown. Bob said, ‘You should find somebody younger.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m younger.’ So here I am.” Interestingly, Mick Jagger is 81 years old, while Bob Dylan is 83 years old.
As the show progressed, it wasn’t only Mick Jagger who made jokes about Dylan’s absence. During his opening monologue, host Conan O’Brien made a joke about how much effort Timothée Chalamet put into learning to sing like Dylan for his role. “In fact, the singing was so good he almost lost the part,” he quipped. He then added, “Dylan wanted to be here tonight, but not that badly.”
View this post on Instagram
Strangely, the awards show ceremony didn’t feature any of the Best Original Song nominees’ performances at the award ceremony. Emilia Pérez’s “El Mal” and “Mi Camino,” The Six Triple Eight’s “The Journey,” Sing Sing’s “Like a Bird” and Elton John: Never Too Late’s “Never Too Late” were nominees in the category.
Bob Dylan’s biopic lost in all eight categories
The Best Original Song category was one of the most competitive of the night. The award ultimately went to El Mal from Emilia Pérez. This meant that Dylan, whose music played a crucial role in A Complete Unknown, did not receive a win in this category.
Beyond the music, Dylan’s film itself was a major Oscar contender. It was nominated for several other technical categories. Despite not winning any awards, A Complete Unknown received praise for its detailed portrayal of Dylan’s rise to fame and the impact he had on music history. Most of the accolades went to Timothée Chalamet, who portrayed Dylan. The actor revealed that he spent over five years preparing for the role. He took extensive vocal and guitar lessons, working to replicate Dylan’s distinct voice and playing style. Even Bob Dylan himself commented on the accuracy of his portrayal. In a rare social media post, Dylan wrote, “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.”
Chalamet’s commitment to the role was rewarded throughout awards season. He won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for his performance, but at the Oscars, he lost the Best Actor category to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist. Fans who missed the theatrical release will soon be able to watch it on streaming platforms, where it is expected to attract a new wave of viewers. Whether or not it won awards, A Complete Unknown remains a significant tribute to one of music’s most influential figures.