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American Pastoral

2016·Movie
1h 48min·R
43
WeakGoodWatch score
IMDb6.1Metacritic436.0Rotten Tomatoes24%32%
IMDb6.1Metacritic436.0Rotten Tomatoes24%32%

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American Pastoral fingerprint

Strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Adrenaline5
  • Spectacle5

Heart

Melancholic and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7
  • Family Dynamics7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor4
  • Satire & Parody3

World

History, politics, and family

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Character Depth8
  • Complexity8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A radically ordinary story.

Set in postwar America, a man watches his seemingly perfect life fall apart as his daughter's new political affiliation threatens to destroy their family.
Historical DramaFamily TragedyPolitical UnrestComing-of-AgeSocial CommentaryBleak OutlookSlow-BurnCharacter-DrivenPsychological

Crew

Directed by:
Ewan McGregor, Nilo Otero, David Waters
Written by:
Philip Roth, John Romano
Produced by:
Barbara Harris, Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood
Composed by:
Alexandre Desplat, Alexandre Desplat, Alexandre Desplat

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about American Pastoral

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream American Pastoral legally?

PrimeThe RokuKanopyHooplaFandango at Home FreePlexAmazon Prime Video Free with AdsLionsgate+

American Pastoral is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Fandango at Home Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is American Pastoral worth watching?

43
WeakGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 44/100 (IMDb 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes 24%, and Metacritic 43). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is American Pastoral rated?

RViolence

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is American Pastoral?

1 h 48 min

American Pastoral runs 1 h 48 min.

Is American Pastoral based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on American Pastoral?

Critics34
Audiences51

Not quite. Audiences rate American Pastoral higher (51) than critics (34). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was American Pastoral a box office hit?

Budget$10 million
Box office$2 million

No. It cost about $10 million to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 17% of its budget.

What language is American Pastoral in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Hong Kong SAR China, United States.

In how many countries can I watch American Pastoral?

55AEARATAUBEBOBRBYBZCACHCLCOCR+41

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for American Pastoral in 55 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does American Pastoral use?

Shout-OutUnreliable NarratorRiddle for the AgesWhere Did We Go Wrong?So Beautiful, It's a CurseAw, Look! They Really Do Love Each OtherAuthor AvatarForeshadowingGodwin's Law

TV Tropes lists 9 storytelling tropes for American Pastoral, including Shout-Out, Unreliable Narrator, Riddle for the Ages.