Review of Rebel in the Rye (2017) by Rick N — 10 Sep 2017

Rebel in the Rye, informative and entertaining. Dispelled the myth Salinger became a recluse for fear that he could not surpass Catcher in the Rye, and instead showed how events in his life led to the creation of Holden Caulfield and that his behavior later in life was a logical, if eccentric, continuation of these events, a man totally dedicated to his craft. Director/writer Danny Strong highlights one aspect of Salinger's life in particular, PTSD from his experiences as a soldier in WW2. Strong cleverly starts the movie in 1945 with Salinger in a mental hospital, locking in this theme, then has Nicholas Hoult as Salinger narrate us back to pre war college aged Salinger for a series of formative events, including dating Oona O'Neill, played by Zoey Deutch charmingly almost like a Daisy of Gatsby. Kevin Spacey does a nice turn as Whit Burnett, his writing professor. Starting as the classic sarcastic Spacey we all know (and enjoy), he later becomes much more complex, a pained soul. Hoult continues to take us through WW2, up to the hospital, and then into new territory. He does so with the right amount of obnoxiousness and humor, so that we can like and understand Salinger when he does some very selfish, self centered things later in his life. All through this Danny Strong is also giving us a tutorial on the craft of writing, not only of Salinger, but screenwriters as well.

All of this is wrapped in a nice period piece. A special treat is the soundtrack by Bear McCreary (Outlander). His jazzed up version of the Scottish folk song "Coming' Through the Rye" reminds me of Benny Goodman's 1930's triumphant up tempo version of Loch Lomond, sung by Martha Tilton. McCreary's arrangement is on par with Claude Thornhill's of Loch Lomond, but Raya Yarbrough's vocal is above and beyond. Exceptional. If only it were longer!

Having seen it twice, more viewings reveal more depth - always the sign of a very good film (look for the camera shot through the typewriter keyboard to Hoult's face). I finally have a good understanding of the book and the man we all read in high school. Highly recommended.