An idolised couple’s perfect life falls apart when their daughter is accused of a terrorist act.
Great story but holds its punches. Directorial debut for Ewan McGregor who admittedly does a decent job behind and in front of the camera. As stated already, though, he holds back immensely and Philip Roth and John Romano’s script does not help much. The turmoil of the 60s had a tremendous effect on America. It was violent, bloody and the aftereffect of racism and oppression. Unfortunately, the film fails to capture that. It focuses on the relationship between a seemingly perfect couple and their troubled daughter, which relates to the turmoil. Or, does it?
The unconditional love of the father who once had it all and now loses the Earth under his feet is the film’s anchor and McGregor captures that quite well. The audience despises Merry (Dakota Fanning) and sides with the father who could not possibly have done more. Furthermore, Jennifer Connely nails the role of the mother who also once had it all and slowly and painfully loses her sanity. My personal issue with this troubled relationship was the reason behind Merry’s mental state. I could not understand why she kept accusing her parents and why she ended up the way she did. Was it the turmoil that affected her or her parents? Having said that, the ending is very much debatable, too.
To summarise, the focus is clear but why certain people are the way they are and why things evolve the way they do is unclear. Regardless, American Pastoral deserves a watch as it will transport you to a time that unfortunately shares many negative similarities to today, but will remind you that our parents’ unconditional love is diachronic and will never faint.
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