Rebel in the Rye

Name: Rebel in the Rye
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: September 8, 2017
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 46
Cast: Amy Rutberg, Andrew Polk, Brian d'Arcy James, Caitlin Mehner, Eric Bogosian

2017

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Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

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Rebel In The Rye

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: September 8, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Amy Rutberg, Andrew Polk, Brian d'Arcy James, Caitlin Mehner, Eric Bogosian, Evan Hall, Hope Davis, James Urbaniak, Kevin Spacey, Lucy Boynton, Naian González Norvind, Nicholas Hoult, Sarah Paulson, Victor Garber, Zoey Deutch

Summary: Set amidst the colorful backdrop of mid-20th century New York City, Rebel in the Rye follows a young Salinger (Nicholas Hoult) as he struggles to find his voice, pursues a love affair with famed socialite Oona O'Neill (Zoey Deutch), and fights on the frontlines of World War II. It’s these experiences that will inform the creation of hisSet amidst the colorful backdrop of mid-20th century New York City, Rebel in the Rye follows a young Salinger (Nicholas Hoult) as he struggles to find his voice, pursues a love affair with famed socialite Oona O'Neill (Zoey Deutch), and fights on the frontlines of World War II. It’s these experiences that will inform the creation of his masterpiece, The Catcher in the Rye, bringing him overnight fame (and notoriety) and leading him to withdraw from the public eye for the rest of his life. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Danny Strong

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

Rex Reed

Sep 15, 2017

Salinger fans never seem to tire of new revelations about the man or his work, so if this is the kind of material that interests you, it should keep you sated until the next one comes along. I recommend it highly. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Sep 7, 2017

The journey of J.D. Salinger from young wiseacre to world-celebrated author and notorious recluse is absorbingly traced in Danny Strong’s Rebel in the Rye. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Sep 14, 2017

The film offers little more depth about the writer than his Wikipedia article and considerably less than one would get from reading the semi-autobiographical The Catcher in the Rye. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Sep 7, 2017

Boasting some strong performances and clever writing, this breezy overview of the author and his magnum opus, The Catcher In The Rye, fails to fully capture the magnitude of this brilliant author’s struggle for greatness and then, later, his decision to walk away from literary stardom. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Sep 8, 2017

Both as a writer and as a man, Salinger was nothing if not unconventional. Rebel in the Rye is so tasteful that it practically slides off the screen. Read full review

Barbara VanDenburgh

Sep 14, 2017

Rebel in the Rye is Hollywood regular Danny Strong’s feature-film directorial debut, and it fumbles for a voice in tracking the life of a writer renowned for his. Read full review

Robert Abele

Sep 7, 2017

Rebel in the Rye is the most dispiritingly presentational of biopics, on a tight schedule to hit its marks and compartmentalize its subject’s life. Read full review

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garygreen

Oct 7, 2020

the great movie i watch about the salinger,and the book he make in his like

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TVJerry

Sep 24, 2017

Nicholas Hoult plays the young J.D. Salinger struggling to find his voice as a writer. This includes his first crush, the trauma of fighting in World War II and the crucial mentorship of a college professor (Kevin Spacey). The narrative follows him from through the long gestation andNicholas Hoult plays the young J.D. Salinger struggling to find his voice as a writer. This includes his first crush, the trauma of fighting in World War II and the crucial mentorship of a college professor (Kevin Spacey). The narrative follows him from through the long gestation and eventual publication of his famous "Catcher in the Rye," then continues to explore the subsequent success that led to his reclusive lifestyle. Hoult retains his charming appeal, even when his character is unlikeable. Spacey adds a lighthearted edge to his performance that makes him enjoyable. Although this biopic doesn't break any new ground in style or structure, it effectively tells the fascinating tale of this famous writer's struggles and accomplishments.… Expand

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 25, 2021

This was an interesting story about someone I didn't know much about (J.D. Salinger). Nicholas Hoult gives a decent performance as the somewhat quiet and thoughtful Salinger. Kevin Spacey is in this film, although he isn't in every scene - seeing his name put me off watching it but I'd sayThis was an interesting story about someone I didn't know much about (J.D. Salinger). Nicholas Hoult gives a decent performance as the somewhat quiet and thoughtful Salinger. Kevin Spacey is in this film, although he isn't in every scene - seeing his name put me off watching it but I'd say he's not one of the main characters and its worth seeing anyway. I thought the narration, insight into the authors assumed thoughts, was particularly intriguing. I did feel both frustrated and sorry for the main character at different times. Its a somewhat thoughtful watch, which I reckon is worth seeing.… Expand

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KaptenVideo

Oct 6, 2017

The glamored-up remix of the life of J.D. Salinger, famously reclusive American author who gave the world „Catcher in the Rye“ and, er, other writings.
Salinger is played by Nicholas Hoult, one of my favorite young-ish actors who can’t quite reach stardom. He’s a fine actor, and has lots ofThe glamored-up remix of the life of J.D. Salinger, famously reclusive American author who gave the world „Catcher in the Rye“ and, er, other writings.
Salinger is played by Nicholas Hoult, one of my favorite young-ish actors who can’t quite reach stardom. He’s a fine actor, and has lots of screen charm but hasn't found his real breakthrough yet. At least in my opinion.
Usually he’s used as window dressing in trivial roles, even in serious movies. If you haven’t seen Hoult’s star making turn in BBC’s „Skins“ first season – this was ten years ago, mind you –, you probably won’t even recognize or care about him.
But yes, he’s appeared in a string of blockbusters too, such as the three last „X-Men“ (as Hank / Beast) and „Jack the Giant Slayer“, or „Mad Max: Fury Road“. He is often heavily disguised tho. You may also remember him from „About a Boy“ (2002) but back then he was only just a boy.
„Rebel’s“ main strength is not its historical accuracy, nor well-balanced story about the great man’s life, nor going deep as its hero aspired to, but a fact that the writer-director Danny Strong bets on one strength and goes happily all in on it.
The strength is this being a true actors’ movie, and they truly deliver. The performances are wonderful and everything else is there to support them. I would argue they have reached drama series quality storytelling, only in shorter form, in 106 minutes.
Hoult appears appropriately soulful but mentally fragile, and Kevin Spacey as the only other major character (his mentor / friend) is just as solid as you’d expect from screen veteran of his standing.
Every scene Spacey’s in is like a masterclass of great movie acting. If this was a project of much higher calibre – instead of premiering in Sundance this January and then disappearing quickly – we would talk about serious Oscar chances. You know how deliciously the man can be.
Critics are true that the movie is ultimately pretty shallow and petty, just what Salinger himself would have tried to avoid, but it’s pretty and well-acted, and makes some points about being creative and/or famous that every modern person would still benefit from considering.
Such as doing something doesn’t mean you’re all that creative or deserve much praise. Or: true creativity emerges after working through your fears and vanity. Or also: being famous is not for everybody.
In 2010’s, there’s been a new trend to create fictional movies about real people and/or situations. Most are mainstream (i.e, shallow), as is „Rebel in the Rye“, but this doesn’t reduce its power to entertain in a cheesy way.
The result is likable indeed. Writing is a lonely job and "Rebel" has the power to remind us the glamorous side of it too, if only for a second.… Expand

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