It's about time. Ever wonder what your life would be like if you did not marry him or her? Ever listen to a snore next to you and wish you were alone? This film is for you. The perfect Miss America ...Jennifer Connelly, marries the champion high school athlete, Ewan Mac Gregor. They have a perfect blonde baby, Dakota Fanning, and have a perfect home in country. Well, the baby is not so perfect and has a stutter. The perfect Miss America has a breakdown and reveals she never wanted to marry, but wanted a career. And your stomach turns as you may recall moments in your life similar to Ewan Mac Gregor and Jennifer Connallys.
This film is not a comedy. Connelly delivers a painfully accurate portrait of a wife on the brink. Mac Gregor is like the Salesman in Death of a Salesman, but without the struggle, only the tic toc precision of accomplishment.in a capitalistic society that worships financial gain and rising to the top . Money honey as his family disintegrates around him. Mac Gregor's performance is touching and strong. American Pastoral based on the Philip Roth novel, is bleak and black and well executed by Mac Gregor in his first time as director
Their daughter rebels against this American Dream as she becomes a bomb maker involved in an underground movement that is anti government.
American Pastoral forces you to look at your own values and the world we live in today. While it was written in 83 and is celebrating our ending the Vietnam War, we still have meaningless wars today such as Iraq. American Pastoral for a moment causes one to pause and wonder what we could have done to prevent this disastrous war. And what we can do to prevent future war?
A Democratic tapestry, this film is not a feel good one, but rather forces you to reflect upon the choices in your life. For this reason it succeeds. But do not expect to leave the theatre wearing a smile. You will be thinking, reflecting and because of its unsettling quality which may be a catalyst for you, you may make some positive changes in your life due to American Pastoral. For this reason it is an important film.
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