The refinement of Schamus's storytelling is up to the task of evoking the novel's honest, yet complex notions, making this the best Roth adaptation in decades.
Schamus shows just how easily a life can unravel. That’s what makes Indignation such grim but poignant viewing.
It’s a little too stuffy and fastidiously wrought to stick in the mind for long.
Philip Roth’s dark tale of an intense young Jewish student at a repressive 1950s college never entirely comes to life in James Schamus’s adaptation.
After Ewan McGregor’s intellectually challenged adaptation of American Pastoral, it’s something of a relief to be in the surer hands of James Schamus – Ang Lee’s regular screenwriter and producing partner – for this year’s other Philip Roth adaptation.
Indignation is undoubtedly old-fashioned but realised with admirable craft and intelligence.
Roth’s tale of a working-class Jewish boy learning about life and love in 1950s America is successfully translated to the big screen.
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee from Friday December 2, 2016, until Thursday December 8, 2016. More info: www.dca.org.uk
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday December 16, 2016, until Thursday December 22, 2016. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
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