Review of American Pastoral (2016) by Laurent M — 19 Oct 2016

I saw this movie at its TIFF premiere and since then, it hasn't left me.

Ewan McGregor shines, both as the tremendous actor he's, but also in his directorial debut.

He could have chosen an easy, simple and light tale, but no, just as the actor who brilliantly got us through the unnerving trainspotting, he tackled a complex, Pulitzer price winning novel. Too big?

Watching the movie, it was quickly obvious that it would be divisive. Not enough the book, too much the book, too controversial, too careful, too actual, not actual enough ... The watchers would clearly define their own personal experiences.

Because it doesn't embrace the potential political aspects that could have transpired from the movie, if echoing 2016 politics, I was certain professional critics would severely judge it. Judge it for what it isn't.

As a father, my experience was very different. The movie resonated with me to a degree that I didn't anticipate. It was watching the raw fear you have every night when you go to bed, every morning when you wake up, when the phone rings at work... What if something goes wrong. What if I do something wrong. How much influence do I have, should I have, over the destiny, the path of those whom you love unconditionally. Unconditionally? This is also the great test of the film. Can you love unconditionally, to the point of destroying those you also swore to love unconditionally? Where is the balance between unconditional loves? Is loving more than one person a "condition"?

All these questions, fears and doubts were present while I was watching the film. It was a raw experience. I was this father, this good man, at lost because he's so good, so genuine, so loving.

The fantastic cast was carrying this peculiar experience. It felt real, it felt organic.

When you watch a movie "so close to home", you don't see its imperfections, being technical or thematic. I couldn't care less about the politics. I couldn't care less about the source material. It took me to dark territories deeply hidden under the hope of an easy and linear life, one where chaos is only the story of others.

For the feelings it generated in me, thank you Ewan McGregor, no matter what some will say, know that your debut was a masterpiece for me, your every day father.