James Schamus is the former CEO of Focus Features, the art house company that brought us ‘Lost in Translation,’ ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Moonrise Kingdom.’ Besides being a collaborator with Ang Lee, Schamus is also a prolific screenwriter. ‘Indignation’ is his directorial debut and adaptation of Philip Roth’s 2008 novel. Although the story takes place during an innocent time in America, the themes are important and universal. It’s not only about a tragic romance but how one bad decision can change your life forever. Through vibrant cinematography by Christopher Blauvelt, period costume design by Amy Roth and an ominous soundtrack by Jay Wadley, we are transported back to the conservative 1950s. This is a slow-burning drama that Schamus brings to life with exciting performances and gripping dialogue.
Marcus (Logan Lerman) is a smart Jewish kid from Newark, New Jersey. His good study habits have paid off and he earns a scholarship to attend Winesburg College (paying homage to Sherwood Anderson) in Ohio. His overprotective father (Danny Burstein), a kosher butcher and his doting mother (Linda Emond) want what is best for their son who aspires to be a lawyer. His father insists that he join a Jewish fraternity. As we spend more time with Marcus, we discover a fiercely independent intellectual that finds it difficult to fit in with the right-wing, Christian authority on campus. Marcus is focused on getting straight A’s and working part-time at the library and then everything changes. He meets the beguiling and sophisticated Olivia (Sarah Gadon). He takes her on a date at a French restaurant where he eats escargot for the first time. Her promiscuous demeanor rocks Marcus’ world.
The chemistry between Gadon and Lerman is palpable. Gadon has appeared in David Cronenberg films and her magnetic performance should attract notice. Lerman delivered a solid performance in ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ but brings nuances to the role here. One of the best scenes is between Marcus and Dean Caudwell (Tracey Letts) that goes on for about 20 minutes. The lengthy dialogue between Letts and him is like watching a sparring match. It starts out with the Dean’s concerns about Marcus not getting along with his Jewish roommates in the dorm. At first Marcus is polite but as the Dean gnaws away at his character, we see him quoting Bertrand Russell and refusing to compromise to the school’s strict dogma. We delight in the young man standing up for his convictions but feel regret for him not conforming and toeing the line to reach his goals at the school
‘Indignation’ is a layered film about the nature of fate. The lead character has regrets. There is a telling scene where Marcus and another Jewish student Sonny (Pico Alexander) have a discussion. Sonny tells him to play the game at college so he can graduate. It certainly beats the alternative of being shipped overseas to fight in the Korean War. Sonny understands that it sometimes takes compromise in life to reach your goals. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old Marcus is too stubborn to make concessions regarding his liberal beliefs. At one point Olivia chides, “You are not a simple soul and you have no business being here.” His attraction for the beautiful gentile disrupts his view of the world. Remember, this is 1951 before teenagers were allowed to let loose and have fun. Marcus is both attracted and repelled by Olivia’s sexual aggressiveness.
Schamus’ style of filmmaking allows the characters to have interesting conversations. The choices they make will shape their lives forever. That’s the key to Roth’s work. The cast is first-rate. The standouts are Lerman, Gadon and Letts. This is an era where it was better to assimilate than to rebel. It is a complex situation that examines whether it is best to make compromises on our beliefs in order to attain our goals in life. ‘Indignation’ is a fascinating look at how the choices we make do impact our lives.
