110 minutes, Drama
INDIGNATION is the directional debut of James Schamus, best known for his collaboration with Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee. Schamus wrote the screenplays for several Lee films including CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (for which he was Oscar-nominated), LUST,CAUTION and THE ICE STORM. Based on the 2008 Philip Roth novel and written for the screen by Schamus, INDIGNATION centres on a young Jewish student named Marcus, (Logan Lerman, also working here as executive producer) who moves to Ohio for college in 1951. An only child, Marcus struggles with the standardised principles of his college, whilst also coming of age when he meets the beautiful Olivia (Sarah Gadon).
A small handful of pivotal scenes throughout INDIGNATION and anchoring performances from Lerman and Gadon truly define this film. Until that first pivotal scene arrives (somewhat close to the half way mark), it can be difficult to decipher INDIGNATION. Those performances and absorbing characterisation is absolutely key to keeping an audience invested throughout a sometimes incoherent, rather odd and slightly over-extended opening chapter. But it’s definitely worth the wait, for once the INDIGNATION screenplay opens up on a thematic level, plenty of intelligent and highly articulate writing is unveiled, and it’s quite riveting. Other acting performances that deserve a mention go to Tracey Letts as Dean Caudwell, the college dean and Linda Emond as Marcus’s mother, who both absolutely nail their crucial scenes. Execution may not always be the strong suit of INDIGNATION, yet there is plenty of sociological and psychological material to ponder here that isn’t presented in black and white fashion.
3.5 out of 5
Viewer Discretion
M – Mature themes, violence, sex and coarse language
Moviedoc wishes to thank Jesse from Village Roadshow and Village Roadshow for the ticket to view INDIGNATION at a preview screening.
Review by Moviedoc
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