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Pleasantville | Year: 1998 Directed: - Gary Ross Actors/Actresses: - Joan Allen - Jeff Daniels - Tobey Maguire - J T Walsh - Marley Shelton A Worthy but Flawed Effort Ultimately, I did not like this film, but it was unique and should receive many accolades for what it does accomplish. Written and directed by Gary Ross, Pleasantville tells the story of two modern day teenagers, a brother and sister pair played by Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, who happen upon a journey into 1950's TV land. The people they meet are as naive, two dimensional, and black and white as the people in the "Leave it to Beaver" sitcom. It is up to the two teenagers to bring some "color" into their lives. The film is clearly an indictment of those who would place a mythological feel-good face on 1950's America, or on any all-white culture containing a male-dominated power structure. Ross attempts to show us that there is beauty in our imperfections, in our diversity, and in the day-to-day realities of our human condition. If in fact he did this, the film would be a success. Unfortunately, I couldn't much object to the world and the people of Pleasantville. Okay, sure, they're sappy and saccharine in flavor ; but they're sincere people, they're nice people. Although we're supposed to believe they would keep minorities and others who are different out of their little haven, the natural curiosity of the townspeople once the two teenagers arrive belies such a presumption. Heck, the citizens of this town seem like they'd be open to anyone arriving at their doorsteps! And even if there is a hierarchy, no one seems to benefit from or be hurt by the power structure. There's no violence here, there's no hatred. The high school boys don't treat the girls as objects, and the fire department only exists to pull cats out of trees. Is that really such a bad world?... ...Simply put, anyone who was satisfied with the presentation of Pleasantville as an artificial, ignorant, and oppressive community will buy the premise of the film and be inclined to enjoy it all the way through. Those (like me) who felt we need a greater explanation as to why the town needed changing are unlikely to find much plausibility or good reasoning for what happens as the film proceeds. Worst is that what initiates the changes is not the arrival of a blossoming artist or the introduction of diversity and tolerance into the community, but rather, a self-centered egotistical girl who wants to sleep with as many guys as she can (Reese Witherspoon's character). Granted, sexual freedom is a necessity in a free and liberated society, but I really don't think Witherspoon's character or her actions act as the right vehicles to bring about positive change. The film really struggles in the second hour, becoming very slow and dull at times. It often loses its focus, like when the people of Pleasantville suddenly become mean in order to keep the "coloreds" out, but then change back to being nice shortly thereafter. I suspect this lack of focus has to do with said structural flaws contained in the early part of the film. I am a strong believer that imperfection is beauty, but I just couldn't buy that argument within the context of this film. In other words, I see the point the director/writer is trying to make, but I just don't think he made it well. This contrasts with The Truman Show, which invokes similar criticisms of our TV world culture, but in this viewer's humble opinion, does so successfully. Having said all of that, I give this film a lot of credit. The movie raises many questions, and forces us to consider things that Hollywood itself would often like to hide. So many pieces of this film are well made, such as the growth of the color on the screen amidst the black and white, the attention to detail within the town, the tone, and especially the excellent acting. I would like to see more films like this - films that take risks and don't necessarily succeed. Who says that every movie has to perfect? The oxygen of art is experimentation, isn't it dangerous to discourage such creativity? If you're looking for a sure bet, a film that will clearly be good and satisfying for an evening, avoid Pleasantville. If you don't mind experimentation, and would like to encourage Hollywood to take more risks, then rent this movie. Pleasantville is a worthy journey A Pleasant Surprise Judging from it's rather modest box office take you probably aren't expecting much from Pleasantville, and neither was I, only to come to find it's actually a visionary masterpiece from the writer of Dave that unfortunately had it's fate lain at the doorstep of inept marketers. They tried to pass it off as a shallow teen comedy, when anybody who recognizes the names in this jaw-dropping ensemble cast ought to know better. Would Tobey Maguire or Reese Witherspoon stoop to the depths of their peers? Would William H. Macy or the esquisite Joan Allen waste their phenomenal talents on a kiddie flick? Would Jeff Daniels... bad example. Would the late J.T. Walsh allow from his last role to be a throwaway, made for no other reason than the sake of money? Just in case you haven't picked up on my condescending tone, the answer to these questions is no. Tobey Maguire stars as David, a 90's teenager who escapes his everyday humdrum life by living vicariously through his favorite 50's sitcom. But when he's transported to Pleasantville he discovers that the idyllic small town life that his parents and grandparents had spoken so fondly of isn't all it's cracked up to be, beneath the surface that is. Our black and white memories of "The Greatest Generation" are put to the test when he, along with his promiscuous sister (Witherspoon), spark change in their tiny world. It's residence cast of their shackles and for the first time in their conceptually scripted lives they're allowed to experience vitality and life. Gradually these emotional transitions seep through into their physical universe. They begin changing colors, which picks at the sores of racism in a way many viewers may not want to be confronted with. It's a metaphor that could've been lifted directly from President Kennedy's speech when he said, "If we're to be judged by the color of our skin, then who among us would be content to have the color of our skin changed." This is a profound usse of symbolism that, while it does require you to suspend your disbelief, handles it's material with the utmost respect. Macy and Allen are the mild-mannered parents to these teenage trendsetters, but unbeknownst to them, their marriage is build on a lie. A lie that says that a woman's place is in the home and that a wife is of no value expect as a domestic. Betty (Allen) begins to question her lot in life, exploring her sexuality with a goofy soda shop owner (Daniels) who aspires to become a painter. Together they make a nice couple, but Betty's husband is left out in the cold. That's what makes this film so exceptional, there aren't any rights or wrongs, blacks or whites. Everything is layered, and in not-so-obvious ways. Much of the subtlety will likely to lost on the unobservant. To you I suggest that you watch the movie again, this time with the insightful DVD commentary track by director and writer Gary Ross. He sheds much light on what I consider to be one of the finest fantasy films ever made. With a cast like this there's bound to be a heck of an acting punch to this movie, but I consider Macy's performance to be the best of the bunch, maybe even better than Fargo! He's essentially playing "the villian," the angry white male, but does it in such a way that we empathize with him. He brings a sense of understanding to the role, he realizes that he's a victim of a changing society. His whole life he's been brought up to believe that if he's a good and responsible man that he won't have to worry about household duties, making himself dinner, ect. This is typical of every actor in this movie, putting it among my favorite of 1998. It's a must-see that's gone unseen for far too long. Very Pleasant Very few movies these days can be called true "originals." Especially nowadays when TV and comic books seem to be the main inspiration for film scripts. And this movie doesn't seem very original since it is clearly lampooning (honoring? In a small way) the early-fifties family sitcom genre made famous by "Father Knows Best" "Leave it to Beaver" and the like. But the film itself is original in the best possible way. It is a fantasy. It is one of the most wonderful answers to the eternal question "What if?" Bickering siblings from the nineteen-nineties are zapped into Tobey Maguire's favorite TV show by a mysterious remote control, weilded by classic TV fave Don Knotts. At first Maguire digs livng the life of his TV idols, working at the Malt Shop and telling people his dad's new Buick is "Swell." But when his sister (the usually annoying, but here quite well cast Reese Witherspoon) introduces sexuality into the equation, something mysteroius and wonderful happens in Pleasantville. Something that Maguire tries to stop at first until it occurs to him that "You can't stop something that's inside you." The script is superb, flawless to the last. The recreation of the TV show genre is meticulous, from the distant yet authoritative patriarch (a very funny, yet sadly mustacheless William H. Macy) to the energetic mother who lacks self-identity (the lovely Joan Allen), right down to Jeff Daniels as the malt shop owner who, if he disapeared on his way out of the shop it wouldn't surprise you at all. But an English teacher once told me "There are no static characters, just static readers" and this story digs deeper into these character's minds and strikes pure gold. Top notch performances by the entire cast, particularly Daniels, Allen and Maguire, who really got himself on the map with this picture. And a pleasant surprise, Malcolm in the Middle's Jane Kaczmarack (that's probably spelled wrong) in a small but suitable role. In short (a little late for that, I know) this movie is beautiful. The special effects will make you double take more than once, but the story itself shines thorugh like a candle behind a curtain. The beautiful story about life, happiness, and trusting your feelings. Pleasant indeed. An unusual 'feel good' film. I'm not really sure why I like this film....and that's one of the things I like! Weird. Background - The hit 50's television show 'Pleasantville' is having an all night marathon. David Wagner (Tobey Maguire) intends to watch every episode. His sister Jennifer Wagner (Reese Witherspoon) intends to watch a concert with a new boy-toy. The two fight and are somehow transported inside the black and white show. Story - The town of Pleasantville is a typical utopian vision from the 1950's. Everyone has a white picket fence, and the boys play basketball for the school team. When David's sister begins messing around with the balance in the town, things start to go awry. The normally black and white town begins to become 'in living color'. While many in the town fight the change to color, some accept it willingly. They want to change, and grow. The town begins to tear itself apart as the grey people and the colored people begin to fight. It harkens back to the 50's and 60's era with black and white race relations. This is a good film that unfortunately, didn't get a any decent advertising when it was released. I think it's a bit of a cult classic that way. Most of the people who've seen it did so because of word of mouth. So take it from me, you should get this one. Buy Pleasantville at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Pleasantville Search with the Priority Search Engine on Pleasantville This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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