MovieChat Forums > Coming Through the Rye (2016) Discussion > This disgusts me.

This disgusts me.

posted 9 years ago by nicolediver
10 replies | jump to latest

JD Salinger stated multiple times during his lifetime that he did not want The Catcher in the Rye to be made into a film. The framing device inherent in this film does nothing to distract from the fact that it obviously has the exact plot of the novel ("quirky townie" to boot), only now that the unimaginative writer threw in a "play" there's some Dead Poet's Society angst so no one gets sued. The fact that some executive was narcissistic enough to ignore the final will of one of the most important writers of our time sickens me. Add a cuddly JD Salinger visit (no doubt he'll be spouting wisdoms galore and patting the kids on the shoulders). Can we just leave the dead to rest in their graves? And leave the Disney stars out of it?

[–] baemery 9 years ago

Hope you will see this film. Your assumptions are incorrect. The film is based on a TRUE story. The writer/director DID go to boarding school, DID travel with a "townie" to find Salinger, DID find Salinger and stayed in Salinger's home, DID produce a high school production of Catcher in the Rye, DID inform and invite Salinger to the production, DID respect Salinger, and DID NOT in any way get patted on the back by Salinger. Hope you too can now rest in peace someday knowing that your angst is based on assumption and Disney stars remain in the sky.

[–] ilovebluebell 8 years ago

Well, nicolediver, you couldn't be more wrong with your review. While I do understand your concern because you are correct about Salinger not wanting his work turned into a play/movie, that is exactly what this movie is about. It is a true story about a young boy wanting to turn his favorite book into a play and Salinger being unwilling to comply. I saw this film yesterday at Austin Film Festival and while it's obvious you have not seen it, I can tell you it is one of the most beautiful and relatable movies I've ever seen. As far as "spouting wisdoms galore and patting the kids on the shoulders," that did not happen. Chris Cooper's portrayal of J.D. Salinger was exactly how you'd expect Salinger to be. And if you're going to use "Disney stars" as a derogatory offense, at least make sure the actors you're referring to are, in, fact, Disney stars, because none of the lead actors have ever worked with Disney.

[–] kimbraun-41864 8 years ago

thank you Ilovebluebell. You said it perfectly. Reading the book now, can't wait to see this movie. I am a fan of Nat Wolff who is definitely not a Disney actor and I take offence on his behalf.

[–] nicolediver 8 years ago

I'm sorry I was incorrect. He's a Nickolodeon star. Naked Brother's Band was his breakout role.
While I'm sure he's talented and it may have been petty to split hairs over a casting decision, that doesn't detract from the point. This movie should not have been made- no matter how respectful it was meant to have been. I doubt Salinger would appreciate a Hollywood film with a famous actor portraying him, whatever the concept. It's disrespectful.

[–] emvan 7 years ago

Re Salinger being realistic: according to http://www.thestory.org/stories/2009-07/meeting-salinger, almost all of Salinger's dialogue in the movie is verbatim from the notes Sadwith made immediately after meeting him. The only possible invention (because he didn't take notes about the second meeting right away, and forgot some of what was said) is his reiterating that he should do something creative.

The circumstances of the two meetings are absolutely as they happened, except that Salinger's actual dog was a dachsund, and the pet that escaped out of the back door was a cat and not a dog.

The inventions in the movie are Deedee (a male friend accompanied him the first time, and stayed in the car, and he went alone the second time) and perhaps the older brother. Other changes: Sadwith actually did play Holden, and his popularity increased after the first meeting and before the play was staged because he played a tape recording he had been making describing the search for teachers, and they had him play it to students (presumably English classes).

Also, the prep school was Hotchkiss in CT. I'm not sure why it was changed to one in PA, where the drive to NH would be unrealistically long.

Prepare your minds for a new scale of physical, scientific values, gentlemen.

[–] starrluna 8 years ago

I've seen this film, and it's very clear you have not. This film is a mostly true story about the main character's quest to meet Salinger (which he did) and get his approval to do his story as a play (which he did not).

This film was done with as much love and respect for Salinger and his work as possible.

I saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival, and the writer/director was there doing Q & A. His respect, admiration, and intentions were clear.

I really hope you do see this film because it was simply outstanding.

[–] SilverGameDog 7 years ago

You're stupid lol
Maybe educate yourself and see the film before you review it.
Or at least watch a trailer or read a review?
But no. Nowadays people love the be "outraged" so they would rather look the other way and be ignorant so that they can spout off

[–] andytownley-11203 7 years ago

It should be a requirement that you actually see a film in order to provide a review.

[–] TheApostle 7 years ago

nicolediver» Sun May 10 2015 13:11:10:
JD Salinger stated multiple times during his lifetime that he did not want The Catcher in the Rye to be made into a film. The framing device inherent in this film does nothing to distract from the fact that it obviously has the exact plot of the novel ("quirky townie" to boot), only now that the unimaginative writer threw in a "play" there's some Dead Poet's Society angst so no one gets sued. The fact that some executive was narcissistic enough to ignore the final will of one of the most important writers of our time sickens me. Add a cuddly JD Salinger visit (no doubt he'll be spouting wisdoms galore and patting the kids on the shoulders). Can we just leave the dead to rest in their graves? And leave the Disney stars out of it?

When you say something this stupid online, at least have the decency to delete it once you realize how much of an idiot you were.

... Otherwise someone will quote you so that you can't.

[–] jwkfh 7 years ago

Perfect post... Let's give her a break, probably a young teen with lots of angst and who doesn't know or care, how to effectively channel it... (I found her animosity towards something she knew so little about, to be sad.)
That being said...lol... Your reply was spot on...