Indignation

I was on the road researching a book on Texas barbecue when I read Philip Roth's novel, Indignation. I had managed to shelve it away in my brain until I saw a movie of the same title playing at a second-run movie house near me. Could it be? Yes, it was the same story. Better than it, the sleek yet powerful prose made its way onto the screen with its integrity intact. And you know what? A crowd of about 30 of us sat rapt for 110 minutes. Nobody talked until the credits rolled, but everybody laughed at the appropriate moments and there were even a few well-placed gasps of surprise. A good story, an intelligent script and a fine cast will work that magic. Give yourself an evening to find out.

The cast is so perfect that I have to single out one performer as an example of the great work provided by all. Danny Burstein plays a father so proud of his own son and so worried by his son's future in an uncertain world marked by war that he seems to be descending into madness. The actor is harrowing to watch because you can feel all the love that burns inside of him and that he just can't bring himself to express properly. Maybe it would not be manly or maybe he doesn't know the right words or maybe he just doesn't think he needs to say anything directly. Yet we can feel his every fear, his mixture of hope and despair, his pride, his love, his frustration. Wow.

"Indignation" (2016 release; 110 min.) brings the early 1950s story of Marcus, a Jersey Jewish kid who's about to go off to college in Ohio. When an older woman learns of this, she responds: "Ohio? How will you keep kosher there?", ha! It's not long before Marcus arrives at the (fictional) Winesburg College in north-central Ohio, where Marcus immerses himself in his studies. But one evening, while working at the library, he notices a strikingly beautiful student. After summoning all of his courage, he finally asks her out for a date... At this point we're not even 15 min. into the movie, but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the big screen adaptation of the Philip Roth novel. I haven't read the book so I cannot comment how closely the movie adaptation sticks to the book. This is also the debut of director James Schamus, best know for previously having co-written several of Ang Lee's movies, including "The Ice Storm". Here Schamus brings to life what things were like in the US while the Korean war was raging. Marcus didn't choose to go to college so as to avoid the draft, but because he just loves learning. It is what gives Marcus his identity. However, encountering Olivia changes all that. The movie moves at a slow pace (and I mean that as a complement), certain scenes literally take minutes and minutes to play out. There are several such scenes that are key to the film (Marcus' meeting with the Dean of Students seems to take up at least 10 minutes), allowing plenty of time to examine subject like religious freedom and the at times stifling academic settings on campus. Schamus is able to extract great performances from the leads, Logan Lerman as Marcus and Sarah Gadon as Olivia. But Trace Letts (better known as the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of such (screen)plays as "Killer Joe" and "August: Osage County" ) almost steals the movie as the Dean of Students.

"Indignation" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival to major critical acclaim. The movie finally opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Saturday early evening screening was PACKED, much to my surprise, Who knew there was such a pent-up demand for this film? The audience absolutely loved the film. It might well be that "Indignation" can become a solid hit on the art-house theater circuit. If you are in the mood for a well-written and well-acted drama about being in college in the early 50s, this movie is just for you. "Indignation" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

LJ'S QUICK MOVIE REVIEW "Indignation", set in 1951, follows the story of Marcus (Logan Lerman) and his struggles with love and religion. Although his parents Jewish, Marcus is an atheist and often is at odds with his family, school, and community. However, when he meets another student named Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gadon), everything changes. The movie does an excellent job of portraying the challenging ethical and romantic complications Marcus has to face in his daily life. His character is extremely well- developed and well-written as he has moments of self-doubt, self-discovery, and emotional conflict. Although the movie does have moments of humor, its general tone is somber. Overall, the riveting movie's simple premise is elevated by the great chemistry between the leading actors and the immersing quality of the filmography. As Marcus tries to discover who he wants to be in life, we get a chance to reflect on who we are as well. At its heart, the movie is a captivating journey that explores its protagonist's identity and goals in a heartfelt way. LJ's Grade: B

(RATING: ☆☆☆☆½ out of 5 ) THIS FILM IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. IN BRIEF: An underrated film that deserves to be seen...one of the year's best dramas. GRADE: A- SYNOPSIS: In 1951, a young Jewish man goes to college to avoid the Korean War and falls in love with serious consequences. JIM'S REVIEW: Based on Philip Roth's novel, Indignation tells the familiar story of a young repressed Jewish man falling in love (or lust) with a beautiful Gentile woman in the 1950's era. A rehash of Goodbye Columbus without the comic edge and irony, this film follows a similar outline by the same author, but is far more solemn and serious in its treatment. This is typical Roth territory in which our hero will try to overcome the obstacles placed in his path as fate deals its upper hand. Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman) is an intellectual loner. Yearning to escape from his domineering Jewish family, he goes off to a conservative Christian college rather than fighting in the Korean War. It is there he meets Olivia (Sarah Gadon), a beautiful blonde vision of loveliness and their first date leads to a budding romance. It is also there that he encounters an omnipotent and powerful head dean, Dean Caudwell (Tracy Letts, in a powerful performance, but more on that later), who has great difficulty coming to terms with this all too rational and radical student and avowed atheist. The screenplay adaptation by James Schamus, who also directed the film, is first rate. It allows the characters to intellectualize their philosophies with such eloquence. The film starts off a bit too leisurely but establishes characters and place so effortlessly. The film structure begins as a flashback with narrative voice-over that doesn't really make much sense until its full circle ending, with one of the most powerful closing shots that emotionally left me gasp. Mr. Schamus' literate script aligns with his skillful direction, as this talented filmmaker captures the mindset of this nostalgic but troubled era in an understated fashion. (Speaking of fashions, the costume design by the gifted Ann Roth is a visual treat as well.) About the midway point, there is a remarkable dramatic scene that highlights the glorious direction, screenplay, and acting unlike any other film thus far this year. It is a rather lengthy confrontation between our idealist liberal young hero sparring with a smug conservative dean. The teacher becomes intellectually inferior to his student as their conversation continues. The tension builds ominously and slowly in this cat-and mouse gamesmanship, maneuvering from one point of view to the next. It is startling its its subtlety and impact. Simply put, it is the highlight of this film and one of the most engrossing scenes one will see this year in any film. The acting is superb. Mr. Lerman as Marcus is perfectly cast and carries off the innocence of youth angle in this coming-of-age tale. This actor commands the screen and makes his character quite believable and caring. His love interest played by Ms. Gadon definitely looks the part, but her acting skills never reach the depth of her written character. She needed to be that 50's female icon, a Grace Kelly type, but comes off as a second-tier Kim Novak or a third -rate Cybil Shepard. She's good, but not good enough when compared to the stellar acting by others in this movie. The film is populated with top-notch Broadway veterans in supporting roles who certainly know their way around a script. Danny Burstein plays Marcus' over-protective father and he is so strong in his nuanced acting that one wishes he had more screen time. Adding fine support in smaller roles are Ben Rosenfield and Pico Anderson. But there are two truly great performances that deserve award recognition: Linda Emond as Esther, Marcus' loving mother, who has a wonderful speech as she tries to steer her son into making the right decision. It is delivered with such skill and passion. Tracy Leets as the egotistical and bigoted Dean Caudwell, is a marvel, creating one of the most terrifying teacher role models since J.K. Simmon's sadistic teacher in Whiplash. The hatred and intolerance of others is so condensed in Mr. Leets' body language and facial expressions that the end results counteract his words in the most unsettling manner. (Oscar voters, are you listening?) The film's theme about life' s choices, about the road we take or did not take, about the small detours that can have consequences which will eternally haunt our existence, is foremost in this thought-provoking story. Mr. Schamus has made an compelling case with his wonderful debut, Indignation. Let us hope this independent film makes a compelling reason with the movie-going audience for compulsory viewing and is not lost amid the blockbusters and cinematic hyperbole that is usually the par for the summer course. Run to see this film while you can! It demands your attention!

I had no idea what the actual premise for this film was, but I did think it would be a period melodrama that could also prove to be overly sentimental and a little sappy. However, it really surprised me in what it actually turned out to be. It's a coming-of-age take that is different from most that we get. It's very dialogue-driven and that dialogue is just a joy to listen to. The film takes a deep look into the characters' psychologies and doesn't resort to the usual dramatics that films of this type usually do. Logan Lerman is an incredibly talented actor and he once again shows his skill here. A mature and very detailed performance.