American Pastoral largely prioritizes character and story over present-day identity politics. Characters are flawed and multidimensional, with their arcs driven by family dynamics, historical events, and personal failings, not demographic checkboxes or forced representation. There's no obvious sense that narrative integrity was sacrificed for ideological grandstanding.

The film openly grapples with family, tradition, religion, and the American Dream, though it does depict the unraveling of these foundations. However, it explores tensions rather than aggressively criticizing or mocking traditional values, making it far less 'woke' than typical modern Hollywood fare.

It presents a mix of worldviews, including both radicalism and traditionalism, and doesn't outright villainize any particular perspective without attempting to show its rationale. There’s conflict, debate, and nuance, not ideological agreement or simple caricatured villains.