TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Pleasantville [1999]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £3.98 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Fantastical writer Gary Ross (Big, Dave) makes an auspicious directorial debut with this inspired and oddly touching comedy about two 90s kids (Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon) thrust into the black-and-white TV world of Pleasantville, a Leave It to Beaver-style sitcom complete with picket fences, corner malt shop and warm chocolate chip cookies. When a somewhat unusual remote control (provided by repairman Don Knotts) transports them from the jaded real world to G-rated TV land, Maguire and Witherspoon are forced to play along as Bud and Mary Sue, the obedient children of George and Betty Parker (William H Macy and Joan Allen). Maguire, an obsessive Pleasantville devotee, understands the need for not toppling the natural balance of things; Witherspoon, on the other hand, starts shaking the town up, most notably when she takes football stud Skip (Paul Walker) up to Lover's Lane for some modern-day fun and games. Soon enough, Pleasantville's teens are discovering sex along with--gasp!--rock & roll, free thinking and soul-changing Technicolour. Filled with delightful and shrewd details about sitcom life (no toilets, no double beds, only two streets in the town), Pleasantville is a joy to watch, not only for its comedy but for the groundbreaking visual effects and astonishing production design as the town gradually transforms from crisp black and white to glorious colour. Ross does tip his hand a bit about halfway through the film, obscuring the movie's basic message of the unpredictability of life with overloaded and obvious symbolism, as the black-and-white denizens of the town gang up on the "coloureds" and impose rules of conduct to keep their strait-laced town laced up. Still, the characterizations from the phenomenal cast--especially repressed housewife Allen and soda-shop owner Jeff Daniels, doing some of their best work ever--will keep you emotionally invested in the film's outcome and waiting to see Pleasantville in all its final Technicolor glory. --Mark Englehart


Really Good.
Review date: 2008-10-01 Rating: 8 out of 10

Pleasantville is an example of creative movie making ripe for hijacking by those with issues to grind.
Director Gary Ross samples social issues and cliches to illuminate this tale in a similar fashion to how historical footage was used in Forrest Gump.
Whatever your preconception of the 50's America ideal is...you'll find it woven in here.
If I studied it in any great depth, i imagine the characters illustrate our vulnerability when society engenders institutionalised thinking. Particulaly the negative aspects of institutionalised thinking.
Anyway, a hugely enjoyable, creative and memorable movie. A great credit to Gary Ross and all those involved.

Similar Products

Reviews


Are Teresa and I the Only People Who Understood This Film!!!???
Review date: 2008-05-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

"Pleasantville" is not a film about racial segregation or the sexual revolution, and whilst the special effects are an important tool, I am sickened that some people seem to think that they are the whole point of the film.

Pleasantville is the most perfect affirmation of the human need for Freedom over Security and Hope over Fear. Because disillusioned with a world filled with drugs and crime, disease and death, the real nightmare begins when the protagonists are zapped into a seemingly `Perfect' world.

There is no crime, no divorce and no sadness. Everyone knows that they will do exactly the same tomorrow as they did yesterday. They smile, they wave, they do what they're told, and nobody ever complains.

Whilst the brother tries in vain to find a way out of this nightmare, the sister gets bored and starts having sex with the handsome basketball jock, causing him to feel something that he's never felt before.

Soon, all the teenagers in Pleasantville are experiencing this exciting new feeling, but lust is far from being the only thing that's released.

Having learned to break out of his robotic routine, the owner of the burger bar realises that he longs to paint.

After years of cooking and cleaning, the TV mother comes to the conclusion that, although she really cares for her husband, she longs to be something other than a cook and a maid.

The books in the Pleasantville Library, once blank, now have words inside them and everyone is eager to read. Even the nymphomaniac sister discovers a love of literature.

It rains for the first time in the town's history, and little by little, the `Perfect TV World' is turning from Black & White to Colour.

Faced with the destruction of their `Perfect' way of life, the rest of the townspeople begin to feel new emotions as well; anger, bigotry, hatred and the need to inflict violence.

They burn the books and ban `Coloureds' from their shops. And even though the Mayor struggles to smile and remain Black & White, the moment that he releases his anger, he becomes colourised as well.

By the end of the film, the town of Pleasantville is just like the rest of the world. Their perfect order and security is gone, but they each have something that they never had before. They have their freedom, and there's hope for a better tomorrow.

"So, do you know what's going to happen next?"

"No, I don't."

"I guess I don't know either."


Beautiful film - with morals!!
Review date: 2007-11-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

A brilliant film. Its a shame that a previous review thought that the characters changing from black and white to colour meant that this was advocating sexual promiscuity. In my opinion, when characters changed to colour it meant they had opened their eyes, experienced something new, widened their vision - if it was about sexual promiscuity, why wasnt Reese Witherspoons character MaryJane in colour right from the start?!! She only changes to colour when she's read - and enjoyed - a book. Thought it was absolutely beautiful, really enjoyed it, not a bad word to say. Fab fab fab.

Unpredictable, cleverly nostalgic with a lot to say
Review date: 2007-07-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

In case you haven't already read or heard about this film, I won't give away my favourite cameo surprise appearance in this film. I'll just say that if you grew up on TV like I did, you'll smile and realize how fitting it is to see this actor in this film.

Enough of the cryptic stuff. This film starts out with what so many of us have talked about regarding the "ideal family" in the 50's sitcoms like Ozzy & Harriet or Leave it To Beaver. This movie was not predictable at all to me. What do you think would happen if two modern teenagers found themselves in "Pleasantville"? They bring their knowledge and colour, good & bad. Wouldn't they have an affect on Pleasantville? How would the townspeople react?

It's great to see Toby McGuire before Spiderman. His character is still good and noble and brave. He's a natural leader and all 'round good guy. Reese Witherspoon's character was a nice surprise too. There's a great cast all 'round this film. Lots of familiar faces, very well cast. This film would make a great subject for a college English course, or a great springboard for an interesting conversation between two good friends.

Get your favourite beverage and a good friend, and... enjoy!

"Honey, I'm home!"
Review date: 2007-06-26 Rating: 4 out of 10

Twin teens George and Jennifer (Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon) are very different: Jennifer is quite the wild child while George's passion is watching re-runs of the 50s TV sitcom "Pleasantville." One night, the kids are magically whisked right into Pleasantville - a swell little town where the fire department only rescues cats in trees, books are as blank as the foks' minds, and everything is in black and white. George loves it there, but Jennifer starts changing things when she takes her boyfriend up to Lover's Lane for a lot more than hand-holding. Gradually people start seeing things in color, then it rains real rain, and *gasp* dinner is not on the table at six o'clock.

I'd seen bits and pieces of "Pleasantville" on TV and liked it, but after watching the entire movie, I have to say it left me confused, angry, and disappointed. The point of the movie - that sexual promiscuity is the key to enlightenment - is a sad comment on our times. Maguire and Witherspoon are perfectly cast and give excellent performances, but the script laughs at wholesomeness and condemns morality. I think it's sad that old-fashioned values are labled not only corny, but wrong. I did enjoy the photography changing slowly from black and white to color, but I cannot recommend the movie.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jeff Daniels
Tobey Maguire
William H. Macy
Reese Witherspoon
Joan Allen

Creators:
Tobey Maguire (Primary Contributor)
Reese Witherspoon (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Entertainment in Video
Manufacturer: Entertainment in Video
EAN: 5017239190506
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 1999-10-11
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998-10-23
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional