Review of Rebel in the Rye (2017) by Tim M — 24 Mar 2017
Fresh from Sundance: A fun performance by Kevin Spacey is wasted in movie about a fascinating person that isn't the least bit fascinating. Characters come and go without much explanation as lazy writing takes center stage.
There is a believability factor here also. The movie takes place over 13 years and the actor playing JD Salinger doesn't age a day. Sarah Paulson is wasted as is Zoey Deutch. Spacey as Whit Burnett is a bright spot.
I wanted to see a movie about him. It's hard to believe a movie about JD Salinger (Nicholas Hoult) that he's not even the most interesting person in the film. Hoult and Spacey have fantastic chemistry, but there's a seminal moment in this that changes the tone of the film.
It never gets back on track. Whit fades and then BANG out of nowhere there he is. This movie is lazy on many levels and it's a shame. There's a good movie in here somewhere, but this isn't it.
Even the title is a waste. He's such a rebel, but we're going to gloss over that aspect. It should have been called "The Whit of JD Salinger." Final Score: 4.5/10.
This review of Rebel in the Rye (2017) was written by Tim M on 24 Mar 2017.
Rebel in the Rye has generally received positive reviews.
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