My Salinger Year (2020)

Directed by: Philippe Falardeau | 101 minutes | drama | Actors: Margaret Qualley, Sigourney Weaver, Douglas Booth, Seána Kerslake, Brían F. O’Byrne, Colm Feore, Théodore Pellerin, Yanic Truesdale, Hamza Haq, Leni Parker, Ellen David, Romane Denis, Tim Post, Gavin Drea, Matt Holland , Xiao Sun

New York, 1995. After graduating, Joanna (Margaret Qualley) dreams of becoming a writer. She packs up her things, leaves her boyfriend in California and moves to the Big Apple. After some searching, she finds a job as a typist at one of the oldest literary offices in the city, run by the frosty Margaret (Sigourney Weaver). Joanna’s job largely consists of sorting through the many fan letters for the agency’s most famous client: JD Salinger. Joanna herself has not read any of Salinger’s books, not even “The Catcher in the Rye.” Still, Joanna slowly begins to develop a fascination with the notorious writer. While she is first introduced to his work, she also begins to discover her own writing heart.

Directed by Philippe Falardeau and based on Joanna Rakoff’s autobiographical novel, My Salinger Year is a coming of age drama with an optimistic approach. This is a sweet movie, with a big heart. There are numerous themes and subjects that the film deals with, and this always unfolds with rosy hue. On the one hand, this provides a pleasant viewing experience, on the other hand, it also manifests itself in a lot of unevenness.

The greatest asset of ‘My Salinger Year’ is actress Margaret Qualley, who has gained fame in recent years with roles in films such as ‘The Nice Guys’ (2016) and ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (2019). Qualley plays her character with boundless energy. Joanna is a little insecure, but always driven and charismatic. Qualley knows how to perfectly embody the humor in her character at times, while at other times she tackles Joanna’s insecurity just as credibly. The chemistry between Qualley and the other cast members also feels genuine. Sigourney Weaver, in particular, as Joanna’s boss and mentor, has some very successful scenes with the younger actress.

For literary fanatics and JD Salinger aficionados, the film is less successful. The literary world of the 1990s and the writer who gave the film its name are almost secondary to Joanna’s everyday worries. In those moments when you think the film might go in-depth with its original subjects, the story always returns to subplots about unfulfilled love and New York social life. Director Philippe Falardeau takes too much on his fork with ‘My Salinger Year’. So much so that the whole eventually becomes obscure. The ending of the film also feels uncoordinated, with a real anticlimax. While the tone of ‘My Salinger Year’ remains positive, the viewer’s image is still somewhat stunned.

Those looking for a decent coming of age movie won’t be disappointed with ‘My Salinger Year’. However, major philosophical topics or subversive plot elements are absent. The film is good in that respect. Maybe a tad too sweet.