TEHRAN- “American Pastoral”, a 2016 movie by Scottish filmmaker and actor Ewan McGregor, will be reviewed at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday evening. 

Film critic Kurosh Jahed is set to attend a screening of the film followed by a review session.

“American Pastoral”, McGregor’s feature directorial debut, is a thought-provoking crime drama that explores the complexities of family, identity, and social upheaval. Based on Philip Roth's 1997 novel of the same name, the film premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United States on October 21, 2016.

The story begins at the 45th-year reunion of Weequahic High School's class of '51, where writer Nathan Zuckerman reunites with his old friend Jerry Levov. They reminisce about Jerry's older brother, Seymour "Swede" Levov, a former all-state athlete who has recently passed away. The narrative then flashes back to Swede's youth, where he falls in love with Dawn Dwyer, a Catholic woman from a different background. Despite their families' initial reservations, they marry and settle down in Old Rimrock, where they raise their daughter Merry.

Merry grows up to be a smart and quirky young woman with a stuttering problem. However, she becomes increasingly radicalized as she navigates the tumultuous landscape of the 1960s. As the Vietnam War rages on, Merry becomes involved in anti-war protests in New York City. When she returns to Old Rimrock, she participates in a protest that turns violent, leading to the destruction of the local post office and store.

Merry disappears, and Swede is left to navigate a complex web of emotions as he searches for his daughter. He visits Penny Hamlin, the wife of the store owner who was killed, and receives cryptic information from Rita Cohen, a mysterious young woman who claims to know Merry's whereabouts.

As Swede's search for Merry continues, he becomes increasingly obsessed with finding his daughter. He visits Rita again, only to be rebuffed by her mean-spirited attempts to seduce him. Meanwhile, Dawn's mental health begins to deteriorate under the stress of Merry's disappearance.

Years pass, and Swede finally tracks down Merry to a skid-row area of Newark. During their brief reunions, Merry confesses to planting bombs that killed four people and sliding into a life of prostitution and exploitation. She has since found solace in the Indian Jain religion and has withdrawn from society.

The film concludes with Swede attending his own funeral, where he reflects on the impermanence of our assumptions about others. As the mourners depart, a cleaned-up Merry appears at Swede's grave, silently acknowledging her father's passing.

“American Pastoral” is a powerful exploration of the complexities of family dynamics and social upheaval. Through its complex characters and non-linear narrative structure, the film raises questions about identity, morality, and the consequences of our actions.

Ewan McGregor has earned a reputation for his impressive body of work. Among his notable accolades are a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. McGregor's dedication to his craft has been recognized with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) honor, bestowed upon him in 2013 for his outstanding contributions to the world of drama and charity.

SAB/