X
- 2017
- PG-13
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
- 2017
- PG-13
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
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 his ...
Directed By: Danny Strong
Written By: Kenneth Slawenski, Danny Strong
- 2017
- PG-13
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
- 2017
- PG-13
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
Rebel in the Rye
46
6.5
Where to Watch
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 his ...
Directed By: Danny Strong
Written By: Kenneth Slawenski, Danny Strong
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
46
27% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
53% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
20% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
46
27% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
53% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
20% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
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.
The script is flat and linear, the dialogue mostly out of tune — utterly lacking crackle.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 26 User Ratings
6.5
54% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
38% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
8% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 26 User Ratings
6.5
54% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
38% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
8% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
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 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.
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You won’t find much new light shed on the reclusive author of The Catcher in the Rye in writer-director Danny Strong’s polished but cliché-festooned biopic Rebel in the Rye.
Danny Strong’s film is diverting, mildly informative and — to borrow Caulfield’s adjective of choice — somewhat phony, heavy as it is on tortured-writer clichés and contrived art-imitates-life parallels.
The worst aspect of ‘Rebel’ is that Strong seems to have no vision as a filmmaker. The movie thinks it’s throwing in some wise words about the art of writing, but they are superficial at best.
It wants so much to cover everything, and do so in a way that is so laudatory of Salinger's genius and purity that it never really delves into anything interesting or complex. It merely skims.
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.
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 ****. 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.
Report
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 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.
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Production Company
Black Label Media,
West Madison Entertainment,
Jason Shuman Productions
Release Date Sep 8, 2017
Duration 1 h 46 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.
Website
http://rebelintherye-movie.com/
Awards
Barcelona-Sant Jordi International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
