A Complete Unknown movie poster
A Complete Unknown movie poster

After watching “A Complete Unknown” the first time, I wrote that I was going to have to watch the movie a second time, partly to address my curiosity about absence of scenes were the use of marijuana took place or was even hinted at. Sure enough, while alcohol and endless cigarette smoking takes place, apparently recreational use of drugs does not exist in this version of “history.” It’s not really an issue, especially in 2025 where recreational pot is a non-story in many place in the US, but that wasn’t the case in the early 1960s. I mean, given how carefully the filmmakers were to have period appropriate microphones and musical instruments and clothing and everything, the absence of pot feels “funny.” Okay, moving on.

Both times watching the movie, the theater was filled with Boomers and maybe that’s why it didn’t win Best Picture or Best Actor: The non-Boomers have no idea why this time in musical history was so special and pretty much unrepeatable. Well, Chalamet and crew fully bought into the specialness of the story, and as noted in my prior article, their musical performances were amazing, with all of the innuendo and mixed emotions on full display. To watch the first time that “The Times They Are A-Changing” or “It Ain’t Me, Babe” must have been something incredible. 

One more Best Picture nominee to go. The Oscar movie marathon continues. 👍👍👍👍 Six down, two to go!

[Movie viewed on 2025-02-27 at Suncoast Cinemark].

Bonus video: Top 10 Things A Complete Unknown Got Factually Right and Wrong: 

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Tags: 2025 movies, 2025 Oscar contenders, A Complete Unknown, movie review, video Wednesdays 

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