A Complete Unknown: Bob Dylan and his no baselines approach

Despite the Oscar outcome, “A Complete Unknown” unanimously won no baselines vote for Best Picture. James Mangold’s film is a portrait of an artist whose entire career embodies the no baselines philosophy. The movie traces Dylan’s journey from his arrival in New York’s folk scene, through his rise as a songwriter and cultural force, to his willingness to upend expectations by going electric and continually reinventing himself. Rather than offering a straightforward or sanitized biography, the film embraces Dylan’s myth making, contradictions, and refusal to be pinned down, mirroring his lifelong resistance to being defined by any single genre, audience, or tradition.

Dylan’s story in the film highlights the courage required to challenge norms—not just at Newport, but at every stage of his career. Whether penning protest anthems or walking away from commercial opportunities, Dylan repeatedly chose reinvention over comfort. The film illustrates how his self-creation and constant evolution inspired both admiration and controversy, showing that true innovation often means facing discomfort and risking misunderstanding from even the most devoted followers.

Ultimately, A Complete Unknown uses Dylan’s legendary artistic journey as a manifesto for the no baselines approach: to disrupt, to question, and to never settle for familiar labels or limits. Dylan’s career, as depicted in the film, is a testament to the power of embracing ambiguity and forging new paths—reminding us that greatness comes not from following a script, but from daring to write your own. Please view the movie trailer or watch the film for yourself.