Salinger (2013): Documentary on Reclusive Author J.D. Salinger
Salinger
by Travis Simpkins
Written and directed by Shane Salerno, Salinger (2013) takes an in depth look at the life, career and mystique of J.D. Salinger, the reclusive author of "The Catcher in the Rye." Beginning with boyhood dreams, the film follows Salinger's troubled times as an aspiring writer. It looks at his service in World War II, where he fought from D Day, the Battle of the Bulge and up through V Day. The success of his short stories, which often featured traumatized characters drawn from himself, led to his masterpiece: The Catcher in the Rye. The astounding impact of Salinger's account of Holden Caulfield's weekend journey amongst phonies in New York City drew strong focus and pressure on the shy author. In the face of fame, he retreated to the woods of New Hampshire, not publishing a word between 1965 and his death in 2010, 45 years later. This great film provides great insight into the mystery surrounding the secretive man, whose writing has been a source of inspirational angst for generations of young people. Friends, former lovers and journalists provide commentary, assisted by celebrities like Martin Sheen, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Edward Norton.
