John Ferguson Radio Times Nov 5, 2025 3/5

Ultimately, the film never really gets to the bottom of why Salinger spent almost half of his adult life living in secrecy, but it still makes for a useful primer to one of the 20th century's most fascinating literary figures.

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Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 27, 2019

Despite its shortcomings, Salinger is not only interesting, but enlightening for those unfamiliar with this voice of a generation.

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Tara Judah Overland Jan 30, 2019

Beyond its disturbing aspersions cast on mental illness, the film tells a story that is inherently flawed by the absence of its own key player.

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Josh Terry Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Nov 29, 2017

In total, Salinger might be an excellent documentary to watch if you want to know more about author J.D. Salinger, but the only way to truly know him may be to assume that everything he wrote was autobiography.

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Sean Nelson The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Aug 22, 2017

Many reviewers have made the obvious joke that Holden Caulfield would've hated Salinger because it's so phony-and he would have, and it is.

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Dan Schindel Movie Mezzanine Apr 8, 2014 D

Salinger would scoff at it.

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Phil Hall Film Threat Feb 19, 2014 4/5

For those captivated by Salinger's writing, this intelligent and often invigorating film provides fine insight into his world.

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Nathan Southern TV Guide Jan 29, 2014 3/4

An emotionally stirring and affecting work, albeit a flawed one.

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Ed Bark Uncle Barky Jan 28, 2014 A

Salinger triumphs, though, as an absorbing portrait of a singular man of mystery.

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Neal Justin Minneapolis Star Tribune Jan 21, 2014

Too bad that Salinger offers no real insight into the elusive writer and is fueled almost entirely by trivial anecdotes.

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Wesley Morris Grantland Jan 6, 2014

The movie has a shallow, paparazzo literalism. It just wants to catch the legendarily reclusive Salinger getting into a Jeep.

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John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Oct 2, 2013 C-

a work that Holden Caufield would describe as a phony piece of crap.

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Jim Schembri 3AW Sep 29, 2013 5/5

About as complete a profile as one could reasonably wish for...a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in the issue of how art can take on an uncontrollable life of its own.

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Chris Bumbray JoBlo's Movie Network Sep 26, 2013 8/10

An intriguing portrait of the reclusive genius. Very accessible.

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Victoria Alexander Las Vegas Informer Sep 26, 2013

He hated being famous.

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Susan Granger SSG Syndicate Sep 25, 2013 5/10

Fatuous and infuriating, it's a shallow, superficial examination of a multi-layered, enigmatic author.

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Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Sep 23, 2013 C

Buries a few nuggets in a mountain of repetition and overstatement.

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Matt Pais RedEye Sep 23, 2013 2/4

Perpetuates a problem that the film fails to acknowledge: Artists' most devoted supporters frequently refuse to oblige their simple request to be left alone.

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Jeanne Kaplan Kaplan vs. Kaplan Sep 23, 2013

Salerno's depiction is intriguing and distinctly engaging.

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David Kaplan Kaplan vs. Kaplan Sep 23, 2013

Whether you have read "The Catcher in the Rye" before, or forgotten what you read years ago, or never picked up the book at all, this documentary may compel you to find a copy.

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