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All Movie Info
Directed By
Gary Ross
Written By:
Gary Ross
Cast:
William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Tobey Maguire, Denise Dowse, Jane Kaczmarek, J.T. Walsh, Don Knotts, Marley Shelton, Giuseppe Andrews, Jenny Lewis, Marissa Ribisi, Denise Dowse, McNally Sagal, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Walker, Natalie Ramsey, Natalie Ramsey, Kevin Connors, Heather McGill, Paul Morgan Stetler
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Pleasantville (1998)
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Movie Review by Jarrod 
May 30th, 2008
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'Pleasantville' marked the brilliant debut of Gary Ross, and, to me, was one of the best films of 1998. This is a film about modern values, and how they differ from (and clash with) older, more traditional values, like those seen in the sitcoms of the 1950s. It also makes a statement about racial prejudice, and is certainly aware of the many taboos that existed in American society during the 50s, racial and sexual taboos, both of which were challenged and overturned in the 1960s. Two kids from the modern era, siblings David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) are whisked into the world of the 50s show Pleasantville, of which David is an avid fan. They are taken there by a magical remote given to them by an old repairman (Don Knotts).
Pleasantville is a pristine, complacent, self-contained place; none of its inhabitants knows what lay beyond its boundaries, there is no sex, everything follows a rigid routine. David and Jennifer have new parents; George and Betty Parker (William H Macy and Joan Allen). David works at the local malt shop, run by Bill Johnson (Jeff Daniels), who is an artist at heart, and is secretly infatuated with Betty. Betty stays at home while George is at work, and she has dinner waiting for him every evening. The basketball team never loses; never even misses. The star of the basketball team, Skip Martin (Paul Walker), takes Jennifer on a date, and she does things to him that take him completely by surprise. This act, among others, threatens to upset the fragile environment of Pleasantville.
The town begins to change, with the appearance of color especially, but change is fiercely resisted by the mayor, Big Bob (J.T. Walsh), but embraced by Bill and Betty, the latter of whom tries to cover up her colored face with make-up. "Colored" is, of course, the term once used to categorize black people, and indeed the colored residents of Pleasantville face discrimination, while Big Bob convenes a meeting on how to solve this growing problem. George goes along with it because of pressure from the other men; whose wives have grown independent, much like his. The special effects are exquisite, everything is black-and-white at first, and then color slowly seeps in, illuminating certain objects and individuals (like Betty) that stand in sharp contrast to the blandness of their surroundings. Ross provides a startlingly authentic and nostalgic snapshot of a 1950s suburban neighborhood, even if somewhat idealized. The rich thematic content never becomes heavy-handed, and even if there is not much subtlety, the story is filled with several poignant and rewarding moments.
Allen, Daniels, and Macy are wonderful; the camera really loves Allen, renders her beautifully in both color schemes. She and Daniels have terrific chemistry, and much passes between them just when they look at each other; Betty eventually poses nude for one of Bill's paintings; yet, she does not love Bill in the same way she loves George, to whom she remains faithful. Maguire and Witherspoon are great; this is probably one of Maguire's best performances. It is always a pleasure to see the late character actor J.T. Walsh and the legendary Knotts. There are so many little details that stick out to the observant viewer; such an immersive atmosphere Ross has created. It is the product of a fertile imagination and strong personal convictions. An incredible achievement.
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