Not one, but two Philip Roth adaptations grace the big screen this year; first came James Schamus’ INDIGNATION. And now, Nathan Zuckerman returns as narrator to guide us through a tumultuous period in American history. And as usual, does he have a story to tell! AMERICAN PASTORAL is adapted from the Pulitzer prize-winning novel of the same name written by Roth, Ewan McGregor, in his directorial debut, ambitiously tackles the tale of the great American Dream that goes awry. Not a bad project for a Scotsman.
It would be simply impossible to cover the scope of this complex film in one 400-word review, so I won’t even attempt to do so, but here are some observations and a quick synopsis.
While attending his high school reunion, Nathan Zuckerman (David Strathairn playing the quasi alter-ego of Roth) runs into Jerry Levov (Rupert Evans), the brother of legendary school athlete Seymour “Swede” Levov (Ewan McGregor). Everyone will recognize the Swede character; the popular football captain, the one voted “Most Likely to Succeed. Jerry reveals what has transpired in his brothers’ life spanning many decades.
Swede leads what appears to be a charmed life; marrying the beauty queen Dawn (Jennifer Connelly), successfully taking over his father’s glove manufacturing business, and moving to bucolic farmland in New Jersey. Shortly thereafter their daughter Meredith, nicknamed Merry, is born. But as Merry ages, she is anything but joyful.
Their idyllic setting is shattered by the political radicalization of Merry (Dakota Fanning), culminating in her disappearance without a trace amidst the background of the Vietnam war. The film focuses on Swede’s futile attempt to track down his estranged daughter who simply does not want to be found. Set in the 60’s and 70’s, the slow and painful deterioration of the Levov family mirrors the turmoil of the times; explosive both literally and figuratively.
But the film is less about the political upheaval and more revealing about complicated family relationships – a timeless tale. A strong showing by Jennifer Connelly and comic relief by Peter Riegert playing Swede’s father rescue what could be a very maudlin story. McGregor’s role as the loving father/husband is quite restrained as if he spent all his energy directing and left little for his own performance.
I grew up during these times, during which Vietnam and the images of the war were delivered directly into our living rooms via TV. Children of my generation were torn between the values of their parents and social consciousness. McGregor’s debut is bittersweet and deftly captures the loss of American’s post-World War II innocence.
Runtime: 108 minutes
Rated R
Reprinted with the permission of the TJP
