Joan Baez compliments Monica Barbaro in 'A Complete Unknown'
Joan Baez has praised actor Monica Barbaro for her performance in James Mangolds' Bob Dylan biopic 'A Complete Unknown', which also stars Timothee Chalamet.
(Credits: Searchlight Pictures)
Film Âť Film News
Tue 4 February 2025 9:02, UK
Joan Baez has shared her thoughts on Monica Barbaroâs performance as her in A Complete Unknown, the new Bob Dylan biopic.
Baez and Dylan famously dated in the 1960s but their relationship was tumultuous, with the latter marrying Sara Lownds in 1965, shocking Baez. Many songs came from the pairâs relationship, most notably Baezâs iconic track âDiamonds and Rustâ.Â
Their relationship is explored in James Mangoldâs latest film, which sees TimothĂŠe Chalamet play the âLike A Rolling Stoneâ singer. In the movie, she is played by Barbaro, but the relationship is not the main focus of A Complete Unknown, much to Baezâs relief. âIt was pleasantly brief,â she told Marin Independent Journal.Â
Stating that she was impressed by Barbaroâs performance, Baez said, âI loved what she did in the film.â She continued, âIf I didnât think she was good at it, I probably wouldnât have enjoyed it in general. But she looked enough like me and she had my gestures down. You could tell who it was. She worked so hard. Kudos to her for taking the role on.â
Baez also highlighted that her granddaughter was glad that the movie didnât go into too much detail about her grandmotherâs romantic life, with the singer explaining, âShe said, âI donât want to see my grandmother making out in a film.ââ
Baez and Dylanâs relationship has been the subject of much interest over the years, with the coupleâs musical partnership leading them to a romance that subsequently fizzled out, leaving a bitter taste.
In a three-star review, Far Out wrote of A Complete Unknown: âGenius does not infer substance, and perhaps Hollywood should shift their focus to biopics on artists who showed a fragment of a personality than names big enough to bolster box office receipts.âÂ
Related Topics
Bob DylanJames MangoldJoan BaezTimothee Chalamet