‘Indignation’ captures turmoil of college student in 1951

What It's About: As if a college freshman's life isn't fraught enough with peril, along comes the interesting character study "Indignation."

Adapted from Philip Roth's 2008 period drama about lost love and innocence, the film narrows the focus, but is still framed in the context of young boys coming-of-age in time of war.

In starchy, stand-up-straight 1951, Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman) is a bright, idealistic freshman at a small conservative college, Winesburg, in Ohio. The Korean War is a distant distraction — for awhile.

He grew up in Newark, N.J., the son of a kosher butcher, but eschews practicing his Jewish faith. In fact, he's a free-thinker.

The tough Dean Cauldwell (Tracy Letts), a right-wing Christian who just might be anti-Semitic enough to make one uncomfortable, will have none of that independent thought, trying to bend Marcus to conform. Their confrontation is a doozy.

A beautiful blonde shiksa goddess, Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gaddon), goes on a ritzy dinner date with him, but their relationship will be quite complicated.

Performances: Lerman ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower") is such a natural young actor on screen that he gains your sympathy from the get-go.

Sarah Gaddon ("11.22.63") excels as the troubled girl who is the object of Marcus' affection.

Tony nominee Danny Burstein ("Boardwalk Empire") is Marcus' over-protective father Max while co-star in Broadway's "Cabaret" 2014 revival and fellow Tony nominee Linda Emond (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) is his steely wife Esther.

Letts, the playwright of "August: Osage County," has chosen interesting film roles, but always men with a dark side. He's downright scary as the intense dean.

What Works: Veteran producer and screenwriter James Schamus ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") is at the helm as first-time feature director. A longtime collaborator with Ang Lee ("The Ice Storm"), his experience skillfully weaving family drama ("Tortilla Soup." "Eat Drink Man Woman") with detailed ethnic customs is evident.

What Doesn't Work: The performances are strong, although more character depth would have helped those unfamiliar with the novel.

As with any film adaptation of a book, revisions and trims are necessary, and there is always a feeling that something's missing or there's more to it.

But "Indignation" captures well the turmoil and decisions facing a young man of that era, without any rose-colored romantic look back at the past.

This story was originally published August 12, 2016 at 2:16 PM with the headline "‘Indignation’ captures turmoil of college student in 1951."