“American Pastoral” (**1/2 out of four) was a respectable drama set in the 1960’s in which a picture-perfect middle class family (Ewan McGregor and Jennifer Connelly) are dismayed at the disappearance of their daughter (Dakota Fanning) and subsequently finding out she may have been involved in a politically motivated bombing. Directorial debut from McGregor shows he has a flair for time and place and works well with actors, and his own performance is a standout as always, but Fanning’s character is so unlikeable and off-putting it turns the film sour. And since the movie is about her disappearance and motives, it makes it hard to care about the proceedings. Beautiful photography from Martin Bruhe.

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