WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for A Complete Unknown.
Bob Dylan’s famous New York love interest, Sylvie Russo, based on the real-life artist Suze Rotolo, separated from Bob Dylan following the events of A Complete Unknown. Starring Timothée Chalamet as the legendary folk singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, A Complete Unknown was released in theaters on Christmas Day 2024. The cast of A Complete Unknown also features Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro, Dan Fogler, and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash.
Directed by James Mangold, A Complete Unknown is widely considered one of the best movies of the year. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 79% and an audience score of 95%, A Complete Unknown is already in the running for several awards, including three Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actor for Chalamet, and Best Supporting Actor for Norton.
The biopic follows Bob Dylan’s early years when he first arrives in New York and quickly becomes a local legend through the help of Pete Seeger. It also highlights Dylan’s relationship with Sylvie Russo – whose real name was Suze Rotolo – and fellow singer/songwriter Joan Baez.
Suze Rotolo was an artist herself and was the woman next to Dylan on the cover of his classic 1963 album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. She was in a relationship with Dylan until 1964. She was pregnant with Dylan’s child in 1963 but ended up having an abortion, which reportedly greatly affected their relationship.
According to Deadline, Bob Dylan personally requested that Suze Rotolo’s name be changed for the sake of the film. Given the complexity and hardship of their relationship, it makes sense that Dylan would choose to pay respect to his famous first New York love. Based on the “Ballad in Plain D” lyrics, there was also some serious friction between Dylan and Rotolo’s family, which likely also had something to do with Dylan’s request for the film.
After the events of A Complete Unknown, Suze Rotolo traveled to Cuba and married a film editor. She continued to work as an artist and eventually passed away in 2011.
Bob Dylan went on to create more great rock music after a nearly decade-long break from touring following the events of A Complete Unknown. His less-than-private affair with Joan Baez was also a major influence on his and Rotolo’s breakup in 1964. Dylan covered their breakup in his song “Ballad in Plain D,” which revealed that he had a hard time accepting their relationship’s end.
A Complete Unknown would be inexpressable without Suze Rotolo’s likeness and legacy, which Fanning captures with a poignant grace in the Dylan biopic.