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In Dubious Battle

In Dubious Battle

Drama · 2016

In the California apple country, 900 migratory workers rise '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, the strike is founded on his tragic idealism—'courage, never submit, or yield'.

Movie details

In Dubious Battle

2016 Drama 1h 50m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

5.8 / 10

Community rating

In the California apple country, 900 migratory workers rise '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, the strike is founded on his tragic idealism—'courage, never submit, or yield'.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over In Dubious Battle?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

James Franco

Written by

Matt Rager

James Franco

James Franco

Mac McLeod

Nat Wolff

Nat Wolff

Jim Nolan

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez

Lisa London

Vincent D'Onofrio

Vincent D'Onofrio

Al Anderson

Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall

Chris Bolton

Ed Harris

Ed Harris

Joy

Sam Shepard

Sam Shepard

Mr. Anderson

Court is in session

Put In Dubious Battle on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Sincerity is not manipulation.”

The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.

The prosecution The Adrenaline Seeker

“The strings are showing.”

Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.