Pleasantville
Nothing Is As Simple As Black And White.
When 90's teens David and Jennifer get zapped into the perfect suburbia of the black & white '50's sitcom, PLEASANTVILLE, what results in a "visionary adventure" that Siskel and Ebert give "Two big thumbs up!"
Pleasantville's perfect people include a mild-mannered soda jerk, a socially repressed mom, and a father who always knows best. But, when '90's pop culture clashes with '50's family values, chaos ensues, turning the town of Pleasantville upside down and black and white into color.
Member Reviews
A pleasant afternoon watch - TheDandyist
When I first saw this film I was prepared to be bored to be honest. However, this movie is not what it appears to be at first glance - yes, apart from the tiresome cliches about 1950's culture and somewhat tempered jokes, there's quite a uplifting message behind the movie. Change is inevitable, all is not what it appears. The cast is believable, the story is as well (apart from the sci-fi elements). Overall, a very enjoyable film.Wonderful And Funny Satire - revsdd
I enjoyed this movie immensely, but had to watch it twice before I think I picked out the most important part of the message.
The plot is relatively simple: by the use of an ingenious TV remote control device, two teenagers are magically transported into a 1950's TV sitcom called "Pleasantville" and assume the identity of the main brother-sister characters. Of course, being a 1950's sitcom, everything in this imaginary world is black and white, everything is perfect, husbands and wives sleep in twin beds, etc. The introduction of two kids from the '90's is sure to "add some colour" to this black and white world.
When I first watched "Pleasantville" I treated it as a rather pleasant and funny example of culture shock, as the kids from the '90's came to terms with Pleasantville and Pleasantville came to terms with them. However, with the second viewing I was far more taken with the political satire involved in it.
There is a rather abrupt shift in focus about halfway through the movie. Up to that point, it had been rather amusing. From that point on, as those opposed to change in Pleasantville's black and white world begin to resist, the tone actually becomes quite ominous; sort of McCarthy, Communism and Orwell's 1984 all rolled into one, complete with mob violence and book burning. All those who treat their politics in simple black and white terms should sit up and take note of the dangers involved.
An interesting subplot is that any type of lifestyle can become monotonous. While the kids of Pleasantville break out of their monotony by engaging in the more physical pleasures of life that had been denied to them, it is Jennifer - the "loose" girl from the '90's - who discovers that her very "looseness" has become monotony. It's only when she discovers the joy involved in reading and study that she breaks out and discovers new life.
This was an absolutely fascinating and immensely enjoyable movie.Freedom is Dangerous, Messy, and Wonderful - Alleee
The concept of no such thing as "the good old days" is beautifully done in this film. But the writer takes that concept and takes it much deeper than one first realizes when seeing this movie the first time.
Tobey McGuire lives in the "wrong family." There's no dad, and his relationship with his sister isn't that great. Tobey's character doesn't quite fit in at school either, where the students wear outrageous clothes, smoke, and maybe have sex. The best escape for this character seems to be into his "perfect world" of Pleasantville.
Not only does Tobey's character learn that the 50's weren't much like tv, but that human beings, set in a "perfect world," are no better than robots. Why else is it in black and white? Is this a comment on our idea of heaven? When the inhabitants of Smallville are shown outside the boundaries, outside the script, they begin to discover free will. Some have a taste for it. Some are frightened by it.
This simple-looking movie delves into subjects of moral autonomy and philosophical materialism, dualism, enlightenment, free-speech, and historical issues of melting-pot societies, racism, sexual repression, and sexism.
It's also very enjoyable to see, not only two teenagers discovering self-identity, but a brother and sister learning to appreciate each other. It's wonderful to see a movie celebrate the messiness and danger of freedom, and why it's not only preferable to perfection, but simply not a choice we can make.
This film can stand many repeated viewings, and is worth purchasing. Many subtle delights are to be discovered that are easily missed first time around.
Member Reviews
Read All...
A pleasant afternoon watch - TheDandyist
When I first saw this film I was prepared to be bored to be honest. However, this movie is not what it appears to be at first glance - yes, apart from the tiresome cliches about 1950's culture and somewhat tempered jokes, there's quite a uplifting message ...Wonderful And Funny Satire - revsdd
I enjoyed this movie immensely, but had to watch it twice before I think I picked out the most important part of the message.
The plot is relatively simple: by the use of an ingenious TV remote control device, two teenagers are magically transported ...Freedom is Dangerous, Messy, and Wonderful - Alleee
The concept of no such thing as "the good old days" is beautifully done in this film. But the writer takes that concept and takes it much deeper than one first realizes when seeing this movie the first time.
Tobey McGuire lives in the "wrong family." ...