American Pastoral

It's a well-made film with a thought-provoking and depressing quality created by its competent, first-time director, Ewan McGregor. He's taken a lot of flack for the film, but it is honestly no worse than Hacksaw Ridge, though perhaps he should have tackled less difficult source material. It takes its time, and feels quite like a TV drama, and perhaps it would have even been better as a three-part series, but I didn't once get bored. When the post office is bombed, the film has a chance to get going, but it doesn't capitalise on the opportunity (perhaps bound by the source material), and it goes back into slow mode. I also feel that McGregor is miscast. The best thing about the film (or, the only thing I feel compelled to applaud) is the makeup. Rupert Evans and McGregor's old age transformations were fantastic.

B

This film was disappointing. Ewan McGregor was probably the only real bright spot in it and even his performance wasn't that great. I thought Jennifer Connelly was horrible in not only her acting, but the character she played was very unlikable as well. This movie also can't seem to figure out what it wants to be and I didn't care for the daughter stuff with Dakota Fanning.

This movie was an absolute mess. It has some good cinematography but that's all I can give it. It has career worst performances across the board from Ewan McGregor to Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning. I understand why it bombed and has mostly been forgotten.