How ‘A Complete Unknown’ and ‘Better Man’ Outshine Most Music Biopics

The popularity of music biopics has skyrocketed, especially after the success of movies like ‘Elvis’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Nevertheless, a lot of these movies wind up feeling like marketing gimmicks, especially when the performers’ estates distort the facts for profit. This is best demonstrated by movies that present polished, idealized depictions of their protagonists, such as ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ and ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. ‘Better Man’ and ‘A Complete Unknown’, on the other hand, are notable for their more intricate, nuanced portrayals of Robbie Williams and Bob Dylan.
Dylan is shown in ‘A Complete Unknown’ as a careless and frequently harsh person. The film’s title is embraced by director James Mangold, who lets Timothée Chalamet play Dylan as a mysterious, distant figure.
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While recognizing Dylan’s genius, the movie also draws attention to his shortcomings, such as his cruel treatment of his lover Sylvie and his interference with his Joan Baez tour. The film doesn’t hold back from portraying Dylan’s departure from folk music as a betrayal of Pete Seeger, his guru.
‘Better Man’, on the other hand, explores Robbie Williams’s psychological effects as a result of his notoriety and media attention. It examines his battles with substance misuse and his complex relationships, demonstrating how his fixation with fame resulted in a toxic reputation.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Even while the movie depicts his hardships in a sympathetic light, it doesn’t hold back from highlighting his harmful actions, such as how he affected Take That and eventually left the band.
Both movies are successful because they present their issues in novel ways. ‘A Complete Unknown’ focuses on a single, significant point in Dylan’s career, whereas ‘Better Man’ presents a subjective account of Williams’ life using fantastical musical components. These films stand out as unique pieces of art because they offer emotional depth and imaginative narratives that go beyond conventional biographical norms.
–Farheen Ali