Coming Through the Rye (2016)

To me, this movie is perfection.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Coming Through the Rye If J.D. Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye was part of your coming of age, this movie will connect with you. James Sadwith, writer, director and producer of this film has recreated his actual personal true encounter with the legendary author which occurred in the 1960s when he was attending a private prep school on the east coast.The story develops as we meet the main character, Jamie Schwartz (Alex Wolff) who is obsessed with Holden Caulfield, the hero of the Salinger novel. Schwartz decides that for his senior school project, he wants to produce and direct a play recreating the Salinger novel. He is told by the school faculty that he must obtain permission from J.D. Salinger ( Chris Cooper) himself who is known to be quite a recluse.In a post-screening interview, Sadwith told how the story is 90% accurate and that he based the script on his tape recorded notes of his exact dialogue with local New Hampshire folks who with whom he spoke during his search to find the author. The protagonist, Jamie Schwartz, was played in a very nuanced and sensitive manner and actually had a physical appearance and mannerisms, which reminded us of a young Bob Dylan. Ms. Owen was very appealing as the teenage young woman who clearly is simpatico with Jamie. Their "road trip" shows the tenderness and awkwardness of a near first sexual encounter that many people of that generation may very well understand.Just as it was rare for a novel to capture the imagination of a generation that perhaps endured for over 20 years, it is rare for a movie to recreate these feelings without adapting the specific novel itself for the film. There is also a segment in the film which puts the focus on "bullying" at school. in this case, it is at a private prep school in 1960s but it could be in any modern setting. We see here a strong response and support of the victim by the faculty which we hope would occur any time this happens.Although a low budget film, this was very well done. The photography captured the atmosphere and the music matched the time and setting quite well. We have no doubt that this film will resonate with those who still have their treasured copy of Catcher in the Rye. It will be interesting to see how it will be received by the millennials, although we suspect that there is a universality in the story that will be able to connect across generations.(2016) Reproduced from FilmRap.net

I saw this film at the Sedona Film Festival in February, 2016 and hope it receives a theatrical release, as I would love to see it again and believe it deserves a wide audience. It is a superb story, based on real events in director James Sadwith's life, beautifully shot and told. The acting is excellent, from the awkwardly appealing Alex Wolff as the young protagonist, who identifies so strongly with Catcher in the Rye's Holden Caulfield, that he writes an unauthorized theatrical version, casting himself in the lead role, to seasoned veteran Chris Cooper, as the legendarily aloof author. The New England countryside is gloriously depicted and utilized as a backdrop for this highly original tale, starting in a traditional boarding school and ultimately a road trip along country lanes, as Jamie and a townie girlfriend (well played by Stephania Owen) take off in search of JD Salinger.

I drove from VT to Boston to see this beautiful movie at the BIFF more than a week ago and have not been able to stop thinking about it since. One of the best coming of age movies I have ever seen and I can't wait to see it again. The acting is phenomenal, the scenery and attention to detail are perfect...sometimes this type of story can come off as forced or too scripted, but I found myself totally engrossed from beginning to end and leaving the theater wishing for more...and also as if I had been right there with Jamie and DeeDee. I hope this extraordinary film gets picked up and becomes available for everyone to see very soon!

I never read The Catcher in the Rye and I didn't know how that would affect what I thought of this film. I found you don't have to read the book to enjoy this movie. I thoroughly enjoyed Coming Through the Rye. A great coming of age movie! This movie draws you in right from the very beginning and never lets you go! It's sneaky deep, after reflecting on the movie for a day or so, many thoughts came to me. This movie teaches us to Be Passionate and Courageous, it Encourages us to Take the Risk, To Enjoy the Journey, Reflect on the Process and Become Better because you took that Risk and Journey! Excellent Movie!!! 2 Thumbs Up!!!