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In Dubious Battle

R Released Feb 17, 2017 1h 54m History Drama TRAILER for List
29% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In California apple country, 900 migratory workers rise up against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own, stronger than its individual members and more frightening. Led by the doomed Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff), the strike is founded on his tragic idealism and the philosophy to never submit or yield.
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In Dubious Battle

Critics Reviews

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Jude Dry indieWire Franco clearly enjoys playing the idealistic rabble rouser, and who wouldn't want to direct a movie so they could cast themselves as a charismatic radical? Unfortunately, watching someone else play make believe is only fun if you believe it yourself. Rated: C- Feb 24, 2017 Full Review Tricia Olszewski TheWrap Rarely has such star wattage resulted in a film so dull. Feb 17, 2017 Full Review Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com In Dubious Battle is monotonous in its messaging, working only when it allows itself to be a character piece less tied to Having Something to Say. Rated: 2/4 Feb 17, 2017 Full Review Joelle Monique Black Girl Nerds Whether there are fights breaking out, children on fire, or sweeping passionate speeches there isn't a lot of time left for subtle human moments. Sep 5, 2018 Full Review Graham Fuller Culture Trip It's one of those flawed films you watch for its formidable cast. Jun 20, 2017 Full Review Ilan Preskovsky Channel24 (South Africa) It makes a poignant case for protecting the rights of workers by putting constraints on those in power but its sympathetic, heartfelt message doesn't quite make up for how inert the film is dramatically. Rated: 2/5 Apr 21, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Imaginarily B Those that are familiar with the labour movements may not find this movie compelling. Those that are unaware of the sacrifices of those that fought unfair labour practices will b3 lost. Labour movements are human rights movements. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/29/24 Full Review Kleber C Excelente, um filme que mostra o que não querem que seja visto, todos devem assistir! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/13/23 Full Review Tweety K It's been almost a century since the Great Depression. I'm not sure people understand those times. My mother told me stories of how hard it was. A philosophy of bootstrapping and not complaining was pervasive. A simple directive people were afraid to stray away from, lest they starve. I give James Franco big props for attempting to capture that mindset. I think he did an excellent job with everything in this movie. The attitudes, the clothing, the settings, the language they used. To me it is an important rendering of an important time in American history that is about to slip away from memory. This time literally changed America from the ground up. I also know what it means to pick apples at dawn when it is wet and cold, then roast when the sun comes up. That's how we made our candy money back in the 1960's. But we did it for some spare change. It is difficult work for which those people were paid practically nothing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I had great expectations, but the whole thing was disappointing Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member L'idea di fondo rappresenta alla perfezione il suo regista e attore James Franco; che quanto mai poliedrico spazia su vari ruoli e continua a cimentarsi in sfide sempre più probanti ed ambiziose, anche se con esiti alterni. Il film si propone di raccontare la storia di uno dei numerosi scioperi del settore agricolo prima delle leggi volte a tutelare le categorie dei lavoratori più esposte. Il lento incedere dello sciopero è ottimamente esposto; le attese, le ansie e le preoccupazioni. Purtroppo ci si sofferma troppo sulla storia di amore platonico tra due dei protagonisti. Visto il cast stellare, ci si poteva comportare diversamente; perchè vedere Duvall, Cranston e Harris relegati a comparse da pochi minuti fa male agli occhi e al cuore. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Great Western. Duvall and Costner are fantastic. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
In Dubious Battle

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In California apple country, 900 migratory workers rise up against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own, stronger than its individual members and more frightening. Led by the doomed Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff), the strike is founded on his tragic idealism and the philosophy to never submit or yield.
Director
James Franco
Producer
Monika Bacardi, James Franco, Andrea Iervolino, Vince Jolivette
Screenwriter
Matt Rager
Distributor
Momentum Pictures
Production Co
Rabbit Bandini Productions, Aperture Media Partners
Rating
R (Some Violence|Brief Sexuality)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 17, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 21, 2017
Runtime
1h 54m
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