Oscars: Best Actor — Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan is a Serious Contender. Will He Make History?

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Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in director Edward Berger’s CONCLAVE, a Focus Features release. Credit: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved.
Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ©2024 All Rights Reserved.

Best Actor Commentary (Updated Nov. 27, 2024): Timothée Chalamet performs all of his own singing in “A Complete Unknown” — a bold choice in any musical biopic, but especially when portraying an artist with a voice as iconic and distinct as Bob Dylan’s.

Yet, like Diana Ross embodying Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972), Sissy Spacek channeling Loretta Lynn in “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980), and Renée Zellweger stepping into Judy Garland’s shoes for “Judy” (2019), Chalamet rises to the occasion. He doesn’t attempt a note-for-note imitation of Dylan. Instead, he captures the essence of his vocal style and emotional intensity, delivering a performance that feels authentic rather than imitative. It may be something Academy voters won’t be able to resist.

Chalamet, who previously made history as the third-youngest best actor nominee for “Call Me by Your Name” (2017) at just 22, could set another record this year. If he wins, he will become the youngest winner in the category, surpassing Adrien Brody, who won at 29 for “The Pianist.” Chalamet turns 29 in December, making him 279 days younger than Brody was at the time of his win.

Still, he’ll need to fend off Ralph Fiennes (“Conclave”), Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”), and Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”), who will be vying for their chance at Oscar victory.

The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2. All movie listings, titles, distributors, and credited artisans are not final and are subject to change.

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