Indignation

Name: Indignation
Genre: Drama
Released: July 29, 2016
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Ratings

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Indignation

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Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: July 29, 2016 | R

Starring: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon

Summary: In 1951, Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), a working class Jewish boy from Newark, New Jersey, travels on scholarship to a small, conservative college in Ohio, thus exempting him from being drafted into the Korean War. But once there, Marcus’s growing infatuation with his beautiful classmate Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gadon), and his clashes withIn 1951, Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), a working class Jewish boy from Newark, New Jersey, travels on scholarship to a small, conservative college in Ohio, thus exempting him from being drafted into the Korean War. But once there, Marcus’s growing infatuation with his beautiful classmate Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gadon), and his clashes with the college’s imposing Dean, Hawes Caudwell (Tracy Letts), put his and his family’s best laid plans to the ultimate test.… Expand

Director: James Schamus

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Bill Zwecker

Aug 4, 2016

This is one helluva compelling film that presents us with several of the very best performances of the year. Lerman and Letts, in particular, present us with fully-developed characterizations that will remain with audiences long after they leave the theater. Read full review

100

David Edelstein

Jul 28, 2016

Schamus is the former head of Focus Features, and seeing how he directs (this is his debut, though he has been Ang Lee’s collaborator for decades), I suspect he chose the company’s name. His vision is 20/20 plus. Read full review

David Rooney

Jan 27, 2016

There's no such thing as a sure bet in career jumps, so the elegant execution, the incisive grasp of character and milieu, and the stealthy but sure arrival of pathos are extremely gratifying. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Aug 4, 2016

Indignation sneaks up on you, and that may be its greatest difference from the blockbuster mentality. Its explosions are quieter, but just as destructive. Read full review

Esther Zuckerman

Jul 28, 2016

This is a bleak film, one whose undercurrent of morbidity stems any romanticization of the past. That ominousness can at times be suffocating, as the action barrels toward a conclusion it insists on foreshadowing. Light summer fare this is not. Read full review

Sam Adams

Aug 5, 2016

Indignation is a movie of great thoughtfulness and and rigor, but at times it feels like you’re buckled into Marcus’ straitjacket along with him, and you yearn to loosen the straps. Read full review

April Wolfe

Jul 28, 2016

An excellent, hilarious 15-minute verbal sparring match between Marcus and the school’s dean (Tracy Letts) is both an overindulgence — so many of the characters need fleshing out — but also a welcome burst of laughter in a self-serious picture. Read full review

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User Reviews

MarcDoyle

Aug 10, 2016

A couple of scenes make this movie, and lift it head and shoulders above just about any other film released this summer - and yes, that's an extremely low bar. Don't expect dynamic action or any major crises and you'll find a gem of a film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BHBarry

Jul 31, 2016

"Indignation" is adapted from the novel by Philip Roth and was written for the screen and directed by James Schamus, former head of focus Pictures and long time assistant to director Ang Lee. Mr. Schamus’ multi talented skills result in a wonderful adaptation of Mr. Roth’s coming of age"Indignation" is adapted from the novel by Philip Roth and was written for the screen and directed by James Schamus, former head of focus Pictures and long time assistant to director Ang Lee. Mr. Schamus’ multi talented skills result in a wonderful adaptation of Mr. Roth’s coming of age novel involving the story of a young Jewish boy from New Jersey who meets life’s challenges in the mid western college to which his parents send him in the hope that it will put him on the path to economic and professional success. The film stars Logan Lerman ("Perks of Being a Wallflower", "Fury" and "310 to Yuma"), Canadian actress Sarah Gadon and a dynamic Tracy Letts as the Dean of the Christian college in which Mr. Lerman’s character enrolls. Enough cannot be said of the performance of Mr. Lerman who, himself, as an actor, has indeed also come of age from the roles he played in the films mentioned above. His casting as young Marcus Messner was perfect and as was that of his costars in this tightly knit and well written and directed story of youth and mores in the early and mid 1950’s. I give the film a 9.and suggest that it be seen by all who are seeking to have a quality film experience.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

smiyamot

Nov 10, 2016

This is an interesting, different movie. Boy goes off to college, meets a girl, but something is off. It is in the search for "what's off" that this movie delves.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

LeZee

Nov 23, 2016

Life is unexplained, but to keep it going depends on the events surround it/us.

The film certainly defines two things, the life is unpredictable and the college life in the 1950s. Based on the book of the same name, made by a producer turned director which is his first attempt. A pure dramaLife is unexplained, but to keep it going depends on the events surround it/us.

The film certainly defines two things, the life is unpredictable and the college life in the 1950s. Based on the book of the same name, made by a producer turned director which is his first attempt. A pure drama that follows a Jewish American student who is pursuing a degree in a small Ohio college. The film reveals his social skills, confused romance with a troubled girl, having differences with the college dean and many more.

Definitely a better film than I anticipating. Initially I did not get some parts of the narration, but there are more details in pieces and we have to put them in the right places. For example the editing was a bit confusing, particularly about present, past and future events. But at the end you will understand everything, I think. The twist was average, though very good, it totally altered the entire perspective. Logan Lerman is getting better and better in his every new film and Sarah Gadon as well getting more sexier every day.

Whatever it narrates us in the mid part, in the end it sticks to the point on what it opened with. So it is more about life like how a small mistake can change everything forever. But it's also how a big mistake can lead to preserve some sweet memories till life continues in whatever state. A practical subject dealt in a thoughtful way as much as possible. For some people it will be a must see, but surely worth a watch by everyone.

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

swing

Aug 1, 2016

Alot of hype to this movie. The acting is very good. The story is interesting. It's worth a trip. However, i found it slow moving and too talky. The parent are caricatures, and many of the secondary characters lack depth. . I wanted to find out more about his love interest and why sheAlot of hype to this movie. The acting is very good. The story is interesting. It's worth a trip. However, i found it slow moving and too talky. The parent are caricatures, and many of the secondary characters lack depth. . I wanted to find out more about his love interest and why she was the way she was. But I repeat. I wish is was paced. The Dean was not like any Dean i ever knew,… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

The3AcademySins

Sep 12, 2019

"Indignation" is a great title for this film, because it is absolutely indignant in every aspect. It's not really ground breaking or special, and the ending is a complete let-down. It's a lot of hot air and no substance.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

jake-b

Aug 1, 2016

Another middle-brow literary adaptation from James Schamus, the writer of a number of equally unnecessary Ang Lee pictures and the producer of even more of them. It's Cliff Notes, with great art direction, for people who don't read and can't bear mystery. A tasteful nonentity like this oneAnother middle-brow literary adaptation from James Schamus, the writer of a number of equally unnecessary Ang Lee pictures and the producer of even more of them. It's Cliff Notes, with great art direction, for people who don't read and can't bear mystery. A tasteful nonentity like this one was made to order for reviewers who have to come up with 5 masterpieces a week, but why these movies are necessary in the face of a book which gives a perfectly adequate account of itself goes unexplained.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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