In Hibbing, Dylan’s biopic taps into the unknowable

But neither was Robert Zimmerman when he went to Minneapolis in 1959 or to New York two years later, this time under a new name. Here we pick up the story in “A Complete Unknown.” In 1961, just two years after graduating from Hibbing High School, the nervous young Dylan found sudden success with folk music. In the summer of 1965, after recording five albums in four years, Dylan plugged in his guitar to create a new genre: folk rock.

He did this without talking about Hibbing or his birthplace at the time, Duluth. Some locals took this perceived insult to their grave, or at least to a worn bar stool. However, recent interviews and writings suggest that Dylan understands how Minnesota has shaped his work.

It didn’t, to the chagrin of those wearing their best long underwear, but the film proved well worth the slight disappointment. Chalamet delivered a masterful performance, closely mimicking not only Dylan’s vocals but also his mannerisms and personality. We understand more and more why Joan Baez fell in love with Dylan and why she had enough of him. It’s all there.

Speaking of Baez, Monica Barbaro’s performance as an influential singer-songwriter might be the film’s understated gem. Like Chalamet, she channels her theme while remaining a dynamic force in a story that is essentially a parable about creative energy.

Where do songs come from? The words, phrases, and ideas that fuel creativity can feel divine or supernatural.