A chameleon is defined as a slow-moving Old lizard with a prehensile tail, long extensible tongue, protruding eyes that rotate independently, and a highly developed ability to change color. However, in Hollywood, the term chameleon could be used as a complement. Meaning, an actor disappears into a role or character only allowing the audience to see the character he or she is portraying, not the actor.
Great examples would be Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, and now Timothee Chalamet. Timothee Chalamet has been one of it not the most popular names within the industry for the past five years for good reason. His acting range is impeccable and he has the unique ability to completely disappear into a role or character.
Last Thursday marked his second Oscar nomination for his jaw-dropping and unrecognizable depiction of the music icon Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Chalamet portrays Bob Dylan as a mystery or someone who refuses to let the machine mold him. There is a lot of mystery around Bob Dylan like where he came from, his real name, etc. Even though this film doesn’t answer a lot of these questions. It is Chalamet’s portrayal of the icon that will keep you glued to the screen as we learn about him the way he learns about himself.
Whenever an actor or actress tackles a musician biopic most of them learn how to sing like they once did. However, not all scenes where the actors or actresses sing are recorded live. Within A Complete Unknown that is not the case as Chalamet performed all of Dylan’s music live in front of audience members. This makes each scene or depiction of Dylan’s performance way more authentic to audience members.
Not only did Chalamet sing like Dylan once did, but he also sounded scarily like him as well. Dylan was known to be a little more shy or introverted when talking to someone. Chalamet absolutely knocked his characteristics out of the park as it seemed we were watching Bob Dylan on screen.
The passion Chalamet has for Bob Dylan is extremely present in this performance. Also, this movie was in production hell for five years. Chalamet used this extra time to perfect his guitar playing skills as he was even practicing on the sets of other films such as Dune. During the entire marketing of this film this past December, Chalamet showcased extreme passion for his portrayal of the icon. Chalamet called this movie the most proud he has ever been of a film.
With the 97th annual Academy Awards announced last Thursday, it was great to see that Chalamet received his second nomination for actor in a leading role for his performance in A Complete Unknown. With Chalamet’s second nomination, he becomes the youngest actor to be a two-time Oscar nominee since James Dean at the age of twenty-nine.
This era or generation of actors gives lots of hope to movie lovers. It also may give inspiration to an audience member to go and chase their bizarre Hollywood dream. Seeing such an amazing performance like this one could be the driving force behind wanting to be an actor.
It is safe to say Chalamate is the next great chameleon of this generation.
