Screenwriter James Schamus, best known for his artistic partnership with director Ang Lee (with whom he worked on The Ice Storm, Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) adapts Philip Roth’s 2008 novel Indignation for his directorial debut.
Inspired by Roth’s college years, it’s set in 1951 and explores the oppressive social conformism of post-war America – still segregated, pre-rock ‘n’ roll and full of sexual repression.
Against this backdrop we meet Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), an idealistic young man from a Jewish family in Newark. To avoid the Korean War draft, he heads to a small, conservative college in Ohio, where he clashes with its imposing Dean (Tracy Letts) and falls for his beautiful, unstable classmate Olivia (Sarah Gadon) – putting his and his family’s best laid plans to the test.
Rendered with supreme precision, Schamus’ debut captures a particular moment in 20th century America and through its engaging story and excellent performances, exposes a society on the brink of vast and powerful change.
