In Dubious Battle (2016)

An activist gets caught up in the labor movement for farm workers in California during the 1930s.

Director:

James Franco

Writers:

Matt Rager (screenplay by) (as Matthew Rager), John Steinbeck (based on the book by)

Stars:

Nat Wolff, James Franco, Vincent D'Onofrio

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nat Wolff	...	Jim
James Franco	...	Mac
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	London
Selena Gomez	...	Lisa
Ahna O'Reilly	...	Edie
Analeigh Tipton	...	Vera
Jack Kehler	...	Dr. Burton
Scott Haze	...	Frank the Foreman
Sam Shepard	...	Mr. Anderson
Joel Marsh Garland	...	Al
John Savage	...	Dan
Robert Duvall	...	Bolton
Ed Harris	...	Joy
Josh Hutcherson	...	Vinnie
Julian De Niro	...	Billy

Storyline

In the California apple country, 900 migratory workers rise up "in dubious battle" against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own - stronger than its individual members and more frightening. Led by the doomed Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff), the strike is founded on his tragic idealism - on the "courage never to submit or yield." Published in 1936, the novel "In Dubious Battle" is considered the first major work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck.

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Plot Keywords:

period drama | period piece | historical drama | costume drama | communist | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Thriller | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and brief sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the shooting of this film, James Franco noticed Josh Hutcherson, and offered him the lead role in his upcoming project, The Long Home (2018).

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Goofs

Scene where Mac brushes his teeth, he's using a 21st century white plastic toothbrush with accordion bend.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jim: [narrating] My pop always told me to watch the scales. Said the world will always find a way to cheat the working man. I met Mac McLeod in 1933, and I witnessed up close the price of real change.
Title Card: At the height of The Great Depression, nearly one quarter of Americans were without jobs.
Bolton: [standing on the back of his truck] Gentlemen, ladies, come in, come in. Listen, please. Hear what I have to say, all right? This price cut pains me as much as it pains you. With the market as volatile as...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in La noche de...: La noche de... En lucha incierta (2019)

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Soundtracks

Stepping In, Stepping Out
Written and Performed by Timo Elliston
Published by 16W18 Music (BMI)
By Arrangement with BANG NY

User Reviews

Incredible screenplay and amazing cast and director.

James Franco is starting to come into his own as a director with this one. Everything about the film is at worst decent, expect the story itself.

A Steinbeck adaption makes you realize that every book does not a good film make.

A story about striking workers in Depression era times, is one that is an extremely important one, but that doesn't make it extremely exciting. And yet...

Some great performances are scattered throughout the film like so much seasoning over a well prepared and cooked meal. It's a bit overzealous at times, a bit longwinded but it's earnest.

Mostly it shows good potential from a director who has yet to make a GREAT film, but shows that he still might.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

In Dubious Battle

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$213,982

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thats Hollywood, Ambi Pictures, RabbitBandini Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1