Movie Review: In Dubious Battle. James Franco Takes on Depression Era Drama.

Genre: Drama
Director: James Franco
Cast: James Franco, Nat Wolff, Vincent D’Onofrio, Selena Gomez, Josh Hutcherson, Robert Duvall, and Ashley Greene
Studio: Momentum Pictures
Runtime: 110 Minutes
Rated: R

Rating: ★★★★★

James Franco is back in the director’s seat for his latest film, In Dubious Battle. A period drama set in depression-era California, the movie centers on the struggle of laborers working in the state’s agricultural farms and their fight for decent wages.

Franco’s work is undoubtedly polarizing; however, I admit I’m all in for his offbeat adaptations and projects. From the odd, grill-adorned gang banger character he played in Spring Breakers, to his poetry and book co-written with singer Lana Del Rey, I admire his candor and diligent attempts to satisfy his creative visions.

In Dubious Battle

Unfortunately, not even an all-star cast (an Oscar® winner, and four Oscar® nominated actors) can save this film from eventually succumbing to its own dismal mediocrity. The story contains an overly choppy narrative with underdeveloped characters, causing the story to slog through many tedious scenes that bring the whole movie down.

Franco stars as Mac, a self proclaimed radical (meaning communist in this film’s context) union organizer who recruits the starry-eyed Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff) to set out to help migrant workers in California’s Central Valley. The screenplay, written by Matt Rager, is an adaptation of Pulitzer prize-winning author John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name, widely regarded as his first major literary work.

Movie Review: <i>In Dubious Battle</i>. James Franco Takes on Depression Era Drama. 3

James Franco as Mac

The setting is gritty and savage as workers show up for the promise of three dollars a day in wages only to have them slashed to one dollar upon arrival. “You can’t live on a dollar a day!” proclaims London (Vincent D’Onofrio), the laborers’ de-facto leader.

Bolton (Robert Duvall) is the epitome of the typical wealthy landowner, showing little empathy and a lot of disdain for the workers. His posse of gun-wielding men is used to instill fear and violence.

Mac and Jim infiltrate the group of workers, doing everything in their power to spur them on to make a stand. Through manipulative and abhorrent tactics, Mac is able to enrage the laborers enough to organize and strike over the unfair conditions.

It’s these types of actions, and Mac’s Machiavellian attitude, that could make for a compelling narrative. His desire to see these workers have better lives unfortunately comes at the cost of hurting them; however, Franco’s direction/vision only puts this on the surface and never really explores the true price of Mac’s manipulations.

Movie Review: <i>In Dubious Battle</i>. James Franco Takes on Depression Era Drama. 4

Robert Duvall as wealthy landowner Bolton

The most irksome quality of In Dubious Battle is the plethora of undeveloped characters and blanket caricatures utilized in place of truly engaging and realized roles. Ashley Greene plays Bolton’s daughter Alice, who offers up a halfhearted attempt at portraying a sinister femme fatale with barely a handful of lines and a few seductive scenes meant to sabotage the laborers’ strike efforts.The same is true for Selena Gomez’s character Lisa whose main purpose is to be a symbol of family and purity, and to make Jim more empathetic in scenes where he holds her infant son. Instead of showing deeper emotional connections, the scenes feel contrived, taking away the momentum of the main storyline.

Even more disappointing than these lackluster attempts at female characters are the seemingly random cameos by Zach Braff and Bryan Cranston. Their appearances are included only to illicit a bit of intrigue about the worker’s strike and yet offer little to move the story forward. It’s almost as if they were spectators who could probably have been played by extras. Their scenes are a waste of time and talent (much like the rest of the cast).

However Jim is a bright spot in In Dubious Battle, with a passion and integrity that reminds us that the cause is greater than just him. His scenes are some of the more emotionally developed and contain some rousing moments, parts of which make you sit up in your seat and take notice. Unfortunately, there are long stretches between these scenes where your eyes are desperate for anything besides the scraggly dressed characters with minimal development.

Movie Review: <i>In Dubious Battle</i>. James Franco Takes on Depression Era Drama. 5

Wolff, Franco and D’Nofrio lead workers in In Dubious Battle

The cinematography and score are the more polished areas of In Dubious Battle. Both are exquisitely done and help set the stage for the grime and despondency of the 1930s. The score also moves the emotional beats along through the scenes of California’s pastoral Eden.

There is something to be said for telling this type of story at this particular time in our current sociopolitical climate. Showcasing the costs it took to establish what we see as the basic rights of a minimum wage, and the right to organize — and how those were paid for in blood and sacrifice — is something In Dubious Battle does get across. It feels important and I came away with an appreciation for this part of American history. More than anything, it inspired me to read Steinbeck’s novel rather than recommend this movie.

In Dubious Battle is in theaters and VOD Friday, February 17, 2017.

For more information on In Dubious Battle visit the official website
Follow In Dubious Battle on Twitter: @InDubiousFilm
Follow In Dubious Battle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indubiousbattlefilm/

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Erin Richards-Kunkel

The one with the overly-active imagination! Erin is a fan of all things storytelling in every form (movies, books, shows, podcasts, you name it). She is known for always carrying a book in her bag as well as paper and pen (just in case). She is also currently working on her debut YA novel. Find her on Twitter @ErinSRichards!