The most impressive aspect of James Franco’s “In Dubious Battle” is, by far, its cast. Unsurprisingly, Franco stars in his adaptation of what is thought to be John Steinbeck’s first major work, and joining him is a celebrity roll call: Robert Duvall, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris, Vincent D’Onofrio, Sam Shepard, Josh Hutcherson, Selena Gomez, Zach Braff, and even Danny McBride.
Together, they tell the story of California apple pickers who went on strike in 1933 and of the two radical activists who instigated them. But rarely has such star wattage resulted in a film so dull.
Franco has tackled legendary authors before, to mostly mediocre effect.