It’s based on a Philip Roth novel, but that isn’t the only reason “Indignation” feels like a very literary movie. This period piece has a slow, thoughtful pace more attuned to turning pages than enduring the rapid-fire onslaught of most current movies.
“Indignation” is the directing debut of James Schamus, who — as Ang Lee’s business partner — was the producer of “Brokeback Mountain” and screenwriter of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” If Schamus isn’t a natural-born director, he’s still made an intelligent, unusual picture.
The slim story line follows Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman, from “Fury”) as he leaves his New Jersey home for a small, elite university in Ohio. The year is 1951.
Various issues loom large that fall: Marcus’s need to excel at his studies, the way his Jewishness affects his stay at this WASP-y college, and the reality of the Korean War (it’s made explicit that if Marcus fails at school, he’ll be drafted immediately).
Even more urgent — this is a Philip Roth novel, remember — is Marcus’s sexual curiosity. That is focused on the beautiful but possibly unstable Olivia (Sarah Gadon, lately featured in the Stephen King miniseries “11.22.63”), with whom he goes driving one night. They park at a cemetery and experience a brief sexual interlude.
This incident, and a couple of others, would be treated as humorous or trivial coming-of-age fodder in most movies. One of the fascinating things about “Indignation” is that the encounter literally has life-and-death ramifications.
All of which leads to a surprising ending that raises questions about what we’ve been watching. I’m not sure I’ve worked that all out myself.
But I appreciated the food for thought, and both Lerman and Gadon are excellent. Plus, “Indignation” has one fantastic scene, an exchange that runs between two people and goes on for over 15 minutes.
The scene has Marcus arguing with the university president (the marvelous Tracy Letts) in the latter’s tradition-draped office. The two men trade ideas on a variety of subjects, growing more heated as they talk.
Not only are the ideas interesting, but there’s something glorious about a conversation that goes on, and on, and on, especially in an age where the conventional wisdom in movies is to keep it short and to the point. For this scene alone, “Indignation” is well worth a look.
“Indignation” 3 stars
A college student (Logan Lerman) in 1951 learns lessons about life, sex, and faith, in this adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel. The film is slim on plot, but its literary approach comes to seem like a refreshing change of pace, and the actors—including Sarah Gadon and Tracy Letts — are excellent.
Rating: R, for subject matter
Showing: Alderwood Mall, Guild 45th, Meridian
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