In the film A Complete Unknown, Boyd Holbrook delivers a memorable performance as Johnny Cash, distinguished from previous portrayals. Unlike the intense and brooding representation by Joaquin Phoenix in James Mangold’s biopic Walk the Line, Holbrook brings a humorous, roguish energy to the character, focusing on Cash’s lighter, more comedic aspects. This provides an engaging contrast that captures the audience’s attention.
As with many films based on true stories, A Complete Unknown takes creative liberties with the historical facts surrounding Bob Dylan’s life. While biopics aim to encapsulate the essence of their subjects rather than serve as precise historical documents, they often blend reality with cinematic storytelling. The film effectively captures the enigmatic presence of Dylan but also significantly alters Cash’s historical narrative. Much of Cash’s involvement appears to be dramatized for the film, straying from actual events.
When Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan Met: The Cinematic Reinterpretation
Ambiguity Surrounds Their First Meeting
Within A Complete Unknown, the narrative suggests that Dylan and Cash were pen pals before their alleged first meeting at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. However, evidence points to an earlier encounter. Dylan’s tribute to Cash in Rolling Stone mentions their meeting in the early ’60s, likely in a New York hotel room, suggesting that the crowded festival was not their initial introduction.
Despite the inaccuracies about their first encounter, the Newport festival held significant importance in their friendship, highlighted by Cash gifting Dylan a guitar. This moment, though it has achieved mythic status, is a true episode from their shared history, demonstrating how legends often overshadow the facts in biographical narratives.
Johnny Cash’s Absence from Dylan’s 1965 Performance
Another Historical Divergence in A Complete Unknown
The film’s climax portrays the infamous moment during Dylan’s 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance, where he opted for an electric set despite pressure for an acoustic show. In this context, an intoxicated Cash supposedly offers pivotal advice to Dylan, marking this as a critical juncture in their relationship. However, historical records indicate that Cash was not actually present at this performance.
Exploring the Alterations in Cash and Dylan’s Relationship
Inspiration Behind Cash’s Expanded Role
The source material for A Complete Unknown, Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric!, does not address Cash and Dylan’s correspondence. It was during his research that Director James Mangold discovered their exchanged letters from the ’60s, which deeply resonated with him. These correspondences were integrated into the film, providing rich context into their relationship.
Boyd Holbrook, who has collaborated with Mangold on projects like Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, engaged with these letters to better understand the characters he portrayed. Mangold, moved by the emotional weight of their friendship, opted to amplify Cash’s role in the narrative, drawing from the essence of their interactions rather than strictly adhering to factual details. A Complete Unknown, while not fully accurate, does evoke the spirit of Cash and Dylan’s true bond.