Indignation
It has been described as a sensitive coming-of-age love story, but Indignation feels more like one long narcissistic tantrum. James Schamus (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) makes his debut as a director, also writing the screenplay, an adaptation of the Philip Roth novel. He has created a film with high aesthetic quality and visual authenticity. What it lacks is intuition.
The plot is set in America in 1951, centring around teenage Jewish boy Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), only son of Max (Dan Burstein) and Esther Messner (Linda Emond). Unable to bear the paranoid concerns of his father – which border on mental instability – Marcus leaves the family home in Newark to attend College in Ohio. Here he finds his values and forbearance tested by incompatible room mates, forced rituals, a fraught infatuation with the beautiful, broken Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gadon), and intense antler clashes with the Dean (Tracy Letts).
Focusing the story on Marcus only makes him seem egocentric and tiresome.
“How about extending some tolerance to me, sir?” This supercilious plea to the Dean could be Marcus’ motto.
He behaves like a victim, but the real drama isn’t happening to him, it’s happening around him. The Korean War is referenced throughout, but its relevance in the narrative is difficult to determine with any certainty.
The film is sumptuous and nostalgic, the dialogue is engaging and the performances are very strong. If you’re not too analytical, then you may just be moved. (RB)
★★1/2
BY RITA BRATOVICH
