Watch Coming Through the Rye

Coming Through the Rye is a 2015 independent coming-of-age film written and directed by James Sadwith, based on true events from his own life. The film stars Alex Wolff, Stefania LaVie Owen, and Chris Cooper in lead roles. Set in the 1950s, the film follows Jamie Schwartz (played by Alex Wolff), a teenage boy who is living in a conservative boarding school in Pennsylvania. Jamie is a free spirit who loves to write, act, and daydream. He also has a fascination with the book Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, which he considers to be his personal Bible.

One day, Jamie decides to run away from boarding school to find J.D. Salinger (played by Chris Cooper) and request his permission to adapt Catcher in the Rye into a play. Jamie thinks that the book speaks directly to him and that it could help him find his place in the world. With the help of Deedee Gorlin (played by Stefania LaVie Owen), a girl from his school who he has a crush on, Jamie sets out on a journey to find Salinger.

During their adventures, Jamie and Deedee face a lot of challenges, including financial difficulties, parental pressure, and their growing romantic feelings for each other. They hitchhike, sleep in the woods, and meet all sorts of people who either help them or hinder them on their quest. Meanwhile, Jamie becomes more and more obsessed with Salinger, often referencing his quotes and philosophies about life.

Eventually, Jamie and Deedee make it to New Hampshire, where Salinger lives in seclusion. They manage to sneak onto his property and talk to the author, who is initially dismissive of their idea. However, Salinger eventually acknowledges Jamie's passion and agrees to let him adapt Catcher in the Rye into a play, on the condition that it stays true to the spirit of the book.

The rest of the film focuses on the challenges that Jamie faces in adapting the book into a play, including managing his relationship with Deedee, dealing with his parents' expectations, and navigating the complicated creative process. He also has to confront the fact that the book that he idolizes so much might not have all the answers he needs.

Coming Through the Rye is a poignant and heartfelt film that deals with themes such as identity, creativity, and growing up. It captures the spirit of the 1950s and nostalgically portrays the era of Salinger's literary influence. The performances by the lead actors are remarkable, especially Alex Wolff, who brings depth and vulnerability to the character of Jamie Schwartz. The film also has a great soundtrack that includes classic hits from the 50s and 60s.

Overall, Coming Through the Rye is a great film for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, literature, or the films of the 50s and 60s. It is a film about finding oneself, chasing dreams, and the power of fiction to shape our lives.

Coming Through the Rye is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 64.