Review of Indignation (2016) by Angela R — 19 Aug 2016

Having watched "Brooklyn" for the 3rd time the night before I saw "Indignation," I must say that Indignation had none of the emotional impact and brilliant acting of Brooklyn. Indignation only gets 2 stars from me for several reasons: The cinematography was grainy and dark, and sometimes seemed out of focus.

Spoiler here: Why in the heck did such a brilliant young man choose this college, as he must have known they would require attending chapel 40 times in the school year -- something which he rightfully rebelled against, and which ultimately led to his downfall and death.

He should have gone to a school in New York City or even his home state of New Jersey. A state school would have suited him much better, as it wouldn't have imposed religious gatherings on him. But without this blunder, there wouldn't have been a story.

Also, when Olivia meets his mother, why didn't she wear a long-sleeved shirt to cover the wrist scars, knowing how she might be judged by the fact that she tried to commit suicide. The audience doesn't learn much about the girl, or why she is so disturbed.

I also didn't feel that there was much on-screen "chemistry" between the 2 lovers, as there definitely is in the movie, Brooklyn. I did, however, enjoy the scenes in which Markus argues with the Dean, especially the argument about religion and Bertrand Russell.

So it earned 2 stars for a least having some intellectual content.