Review of American Pastoral (2016) by Lenard W — 19 Nov 2016

I will open with this caveat: there is no chance for a movie to exceed the book this movie is based on. The movie made never fully introduces the Nathan character and why he is significant to the plot.

Otherwise, the adaptation is decent. A high school stud marries his high school sweetheart, a former beauty queen and Miss America contestant. They move into a suburban life of upper middle class bliss on a ranch and sire a daughter, Meredith, who stutters due to the pressures of a idyllic life.

When the Vietnam War escalates, the perfect couple faces a rebellious daughter fighting against the injustices of New Jersey affluence. One day, the post office is terrorized by a homemade bomb and Meredith becomes the primary suspect.

Faced with the horror of raising a domestic insurgent, the Swede as he is known begins to watch his facade of perfection disintegrate.