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Rebel in the Rye

Play trailer 2:30 Poster for Rebel in the Rye PG-13 Released Sep 8, 2017 1h 46m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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29% Tomatometer 87 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Author J.D. Salinger leads a reclusive lifestyle after the success of his popular and controversial novel The Catcher in the Rye.
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Rebel in the Rye

Rebel in the Rye

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Critics Consensus

Rebel in the Rye attempts to dramatize J.D. Salinger's life and creative process, but falters with a lack of dramatic impetus or a cohesive thesis about the reclusive author.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam White Independent (UK) For the film's UK release, nearly three years after its limited theatrical unveiling in the US, Spacey has unsurprisingly been scrubbed from its cover art. The same treatment should have been extended to the film itself. Rated: 2/5 May 19, 2020 Full Review Carson Lund Slant Magazine Danny Strong's film suggests dramatic Tetris, and it leeches J.D. Salinger and his process of any mystery. Rated: 1.5/4 Jan 14, 2018 Full Review Dave McGinn Globe and Mail We see the young Salinger stuck at his desk lighting matches and throwing pages in the garbage. We see his trembling hand hovering above a page. There is sometimes music. When all else fails, there's a montage. Rated: 1.5/4 Oct 6, 2017 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse From its on-the-nose title to the standard biopic conventions Rebel in the Rye/i> could probably best be described by Caulfield himself: 'You never saw so many phonies in all your life.' Rated: 2/5 Mar 1, 2021 Full Review Leigh Monson Substream Magazine For all its dependence on the truth, Rebel in the Rye comes across feeling like a big phony. Rated: 1.5/5 Sep 28, 2020 Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall Director Danny Strong sticks to a standard biopic approach, infused with familiar dramatic period vibes. This makes the film feel rather long and tiresome, even with some sparky screenwriting and a committed central performance by Nicholas Hoult. Rated: 3/5 May 19, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dionisius D As a writer, this movie inspired me to keep writing. I watch it repeatedly whenever I feel tired in my writing activities. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/22/23 Full Review isla s 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review lanfranco c A nice movie to understand how was written a great book. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I enjoyed this movie about the life of JD Salinger and the story it told about the trials he encountered in life leading up to his famous novel "Cather in the Rye" and the character Holder Caufield. The movie also has a great cast to bring the story to life. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member The reviews of this film are what I have a problem with on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics savaged it somewhat unfairly. The smug "modest biopic" comments from audience members are proof positive that there are still Holden Caulfields in the world--phonies who think everyone (and every film) around them is phony. (And Zoey Deutch didn't get a lot to do because the film isn't about Oona O'Neill!). Is it the best film I've ever seen? No. But it's really interesting--especially if you've read or studied Salinger, or if you are interested in the subject--as is the case with all biopics! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review steve d The narrative races when it should flesh things out and drags when it should go faster. Zoey Deutch especially is given little to do. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Rebel in the Rye

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Cast & Crew

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Danny Strong

Director

Nicholas Hoult

J.D. Salinger

Kevin Spacey

Whit Burnett

Sarah Paulson

Dorothy Olding

Hope Davis

Miriam Salinger

Victor Garber

Sol Salinger

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Rebel in the Rye

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Rebel in the Rye

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Movie Info

Synopsis Author J.D. Salinger leads a reclusive lifestyle after the success of his popular and controversial novel The Catcher in the Rye.
Director
Danny Strong
Producer
Bruce Cohen, Jason Shuman, Danny Strong, Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill
Screenwriter
Danny Strong
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Black Label Media
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual References|Language|Smoking Throughout|Some Violence|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 8, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 19, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$376.7K
Runtime
1h 46m
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