Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for A Complete Unknown!
Examining the Incomplete Portrait of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown
The recent biopic A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold, dives into the whirlwind life of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan during the 1960s. Chronicling his arrival in New York City and culminating with his iconic set at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, the film highlights Dylan’s soaring fame and its tumultuous effects on his romantic relationships with prominent figures like Suze Rotolo and Joan Baez. However, it notably omits a significant chapter of Dylan’s personal life that has left some fans and scholars perplexed.
The Omission of Sara Lownds: Dylan’s First Wife
One pivotal relationship absent from the narrative is that of Bob Dylan and Sara Lownds, who later became his first wife. According to Far Out Magazine, Sara, originally named Shirley Noznisky, was a model for esteemed publications, including Playboy and Harper’s Bazaar. Her professional journey led her to a secretary role in the film division of Time Life, where she first met Dylan in 1964. Following her separation from her photographer husband, the pair sparked a romance that year.
Given that A Complete Unknown covers the relevant time period, it raises questions about why Sara’s involvement was sidelined. Especially as they had shared vacations prior to the pivotal 1965 Newport Folk Festival, it seems surprising that her character did not make an appearance in the film.
The Consequences of Exclusion
Interestingly, the duo’s secret marriage occurred just months after the events depicted in the film, while Sara was pregnant with their first child, Jesse. Their intimate relationship continued after the film cuts to black; they would go on to have two more children and Dylan even adopted Maria, Sara’s daughter from her previous marriage. Despite the gravity of this relationship, the film presents Dylan in a romance with a new character named Bekah during the same era.
The Overlap with Joan Baez
Sara Lownds’ relationship with Bob Dylan coincided with his well-documented romance with Joan Baez, another central focus of A Complete Unknown. Baez and Dylan’s connection is believed to have flourished from 1962 or 1963 until shortly after his 1965 UK tour. This overlap hints at a complicated web of relationships, where Dylan may have been simultaneously juggling three significant romantic partners: Lownds, Baez, and Suze Rotolo, whom he had just split with in 1964. This intriguing aspect could have added rich layers to the film’s context.
After ending his marriage with Sara Lownds in 1977, Dylan entered into a second marriage with Carolyn Dennis, with whom he welcomed a daughter named Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan. The choices Dylan made regarding his relationships and marital life evoke questions about the nature of love and fidelity in the public eye.
Speculation Around Lownds’ Absence
Given the timing and significance of his relationship with Sara Lownds, one must wonder why she was excluded from A Complete Unknown. Unfortunately, director James Mangold has not publicly addressed this intriguing omission, leaving it open to interpretation.
- One theory is that Mangold aimed to present Bob Dylan as a more relatable figure, avoiding the complexities of a love triangle (or square) to maintain his hero’s allure.
- Another possibility is respect for Lownds’ privacy, as she has opted for a life outside the public eye.
- Finally, it could simply be a narrative decision, as framing Dylan’s relationships neatly may have proved more manageable for storytelling purposes.
While the absence of Sara Lownds raises eyebrows, it also encourages us to reflect on the multifaceted nature of human relationships, particularly within the glaring spotlight of fame.
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