Salinger

Even his most ardent fans don’t know much about the personal life of notoriously reclusive author J.D. Salinger. After watching the documentary Salinger, they probably won’t know that much more.

It’s supposed to be an all-encompassing glimpse into the life and career of the man who wrote The Catcher in the Rye, one of the most influential novels of the 20th century, before practically disappearing into obscurity.

However, it promises more than it delivers, despite a thorough amount of investigative journalism and an impressive roster of interviewees ranging from celebrities to fellow writers to everyday fans.

Instead of providing answers about the author’s influences and creative process, there is only speculation. And then we find out that he wasn’t that much of a hermit after all, but rather had a handful of friends and acquaintances and would even come outside to greet visitors in the driveway of his mountain home in rural New Hampshire.

Yet director Shane Salerno elevates Salinger to an almost mythical status as he compiles a series of rare photographs and memorabilia, with an approach that is too detailed for non-devotees.

Give the film credit, however, for at least providing more insight into Salinger than had been previously revealed. There are some worthwhile nuggets of information, such as connecting the author’s experiences on the frontlines of World War II with some of the characters in his books, most notably Holden Caulfield, the protagonist from Catcher in the Rye.

Effusive in praising its subject, the film reveals Salinger as a troubled soul who found his writing cathartic, yet met with rejection in his early years by publishers and editors. Then, after finding success, he eschewed fame in order to live on his own terms, releasing new material only sporadically and avoiding the public eye. His personal life also was a bit of a mess, partially because of his neurotic and obsessive personality.

The film’s biggest bombshell — which was made public prior to its release — is the discovery of five new Salinger works that will be published at irregular intervals starting in 2015, in accordance with the author’s dying wishes.

For Salinger, who died in 2010 at age 91, life is more mysterious than his art. But the film — which even saw its production shrouded in secrecy during its subject’s final years — tells moviegoers that he’s great without really explaining why.

Rated PG-13, 129 minutes.