Pleasantville (DVD, 1999)

On a basic level, this movie is simple. Two 1990s teens get zapped back into a 1950s television show like "Father Knows Best" and then they begin to teach the boring citizens of the show what is happening in the 1990s. As the townspeople grow in knowledge, they turn from black and white into color. And being in color is a bad thing. It's almost like an admission of sin.

But on an allegorical level, so much more is going on in "Pleasantville." Bud/David (Tobey Maguire) is a geek in 1990s high school but becomes a champion of change in Pleasantville. His twin sister, Mary Sue/Jen (Reese Witherspoon) is a wannabe cool girl in the 1990s and actually realizes her goal in Pleasantville. And it is she who begins the revolution in Pleasantville when she seduces the high school basketball hero Skip Henderson with one problem: the undefeated team can no longer make a basket. But now these devoted boys are awakening to sex and they and their girlfriends are turning into color too.

Mary Sue also teaches her mother Betty Parker (Joan Allen) about self intimacy. When Betty turns to color and the tree outside their house starts to blaze in fire, the local fire department doesn't know what to do. And Betty is so embarrased to be in color; it is like the scarlet letter. She is so embarrased that her son Bud applies black and white makeup to hide her condition. Poor George Parker (Bill Macy) almost loses his wife because he cannot change and insists on the boring rituals that he is used to.

There is even a scene in this movie mimicking Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eve. Simple Bud is introduced to a colorful apple from a tree while on a date with a pretty girl from school who picks it from the tree and gives it to Bud to eat.

As you can see, this movie is really quite complicated. But my own interpretation of it is that as we grow we become more vibrant and able to function in the world. We escape the daily boring rituals that we would otherwise be subject to. Although other people may not like these changes in us, we are better off because we are growing and changing.

This movie was nominated for 3 Academy Awards but won none: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Musical Score. The blossoming of parts of the screen when changes occur was certainly an artistic achievement for its time and is amazing to watch. When I saw this happening I thought of "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams--another allegorical movie that was overlooked for awards but is actually quite good.

Oh, and I must tell you. When David is zapped back to the present we learn that having knowledge doesn't solve all of our problems. His actual mother, who is divorced and a single parent is starved for love and has had a disappointing weekend with a date. Armed with knowledge from Pleasantville, David is able to console her.

You MUST see this movie to be able to comprehend all of the levels of symbolism that it contains.

Good movie. It has a good story and the editing is pretty interesting. Kind of one of those movies you would watch with a girlfriend?..I don't know what else to say

I love this movie... it's one you can watch with the whole family. This movie touches on several social issues in a non-threatening way. Great movie!

I Do like the movie Pleasantville although the color of the picture is Black And White i Do like the Actress Reese Witherspoon and her character in the film Pleasantville she is a wonderful actress and i do like Reese Witherspoon as an Actress and i do like her other movies as well Cruel Intentions with Ryan Philippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar from tv's Buffy the Vampire Slayer,My favorite Reese Witherspoon movies are Pleasantville,Cruel Intentions,Fear,Freeway,Legally Blonde,Sweet Home Alabama,Four Christmases.Reese Witherspoon is a very funny person as a Actress she can entertain alot of her fans and people in general Reese Witherspoon is very nice lady.

This movie is an instant classic and must own. I cant get enough of this movie. The acting is fantastic and the storyline is so original.

Bought "Pleasantville" after watching it several times on TV movie channels with my kids, ages 16 and 11. Wanted to have it on hand for "anytime" viewing. This movie appeals to kids because 1) they love stars Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon and the late, great Don Knotts; 2) the story involves kids obsessed with TV, and 3) it's a wonderful fantasy. But don't be fooled -- there's much more to "Pleasantville." It raises thoughtful issues about conformity, tolerance, diversity and self discovery. It was assigned viewing for my son's high school English class last fall. An undercurrent of sexual issues runs through the movie, so I would consider ages 12 and up to be the primary audience.

This film deals with a town called apropriately "Pleasantville," a sleepy little town where everthing is froze in time. Imagine a place where Leave it to Beaver is not a just a show, but actually exists, complete with its black and white details. Don knotts (Barney Fife, Andy Taylor's Deputy) is the television repair man in the film, which also stars Dumb and Dumber's Lloyd, as well as the hero of Spiderman(Toby Macguire) and Sweet Home Alabama (Reece Witherspoon) This film uses great special effects, has a terrific storyline, and is highly entertaining as well. Highly reccomend you catch this one iof you have not seen it. Give it 5 stars *****

This is one those movies that, even though I own dozens if not hundreds of DVDs, I can honestly say is one of my favorites. It came out a few years ago before Toby Maguire and Reese Witherspoon's careers became what they are today, and is set in the black and white era of tv yesteryear. I just love so many scenes in this movie. I love it when Toby is driving to Lover's Lane and it's mostly black and white but you can begin to see the blossoms in the trees in color. I love it when Jeff Daniels is in black and white but is looking at an art book Bud brings him and the book is in color. But my absolute favorite scene of all is when Joan Allen is upset because she's turned to color and Bud (Toby Maguire) applies make up to turn her back to black and white again. I hadn't seen this movie for several years and was thinking about it and decided to look to see if there was a copy for sale on Ebay. I found it, got it for a great price, and couldn't be happier.

For all of the simplicity and babyish ways of this film it's a pretty remarkable story. A wonderful cast and a wonderful script, a classic for any generation. I'd recommend it for teens and up, there's some sexual themes in the story which may fly over kids heads but just an FYI. I'd be surprised if many people didn't enjoy this film.

Price. Hard to find elsewhere. ****************************************************************************** ****************************************************************************** ****************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************

this movie has an all star cast and although its not action packed its interesting enough. the story line is very unique and is what prompted me to buy it. sure to be enjoyed as a classic.

Excellent sleeper film with great cast and superb directing. One of Reese Witherspoons best performances. On par with "Man on the Moon" and "Walk the Line." Doesn't hurt that she's HOT in this movie too! A coming-of-age film for everyone, reminding us to stop and smell the roses, literally! If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for?!?

I enjoyed the movie Pleasantville. The movie shows how simple changes can make a big impact on people. For the people in Pleasantville, they were used to doing the same thing day in and day out. When the two outsiders entered the television show's "world", things started changing for all of them. Little things such as not being on time, not being home to make dinner, and reading books made them change to color, instead of their normal black and white.

A great take on how we are given our free agency while we live on planet earth. It gives us a very short glimpse of our early agency. I skirts around all the really bad issues, but shows us that there are biased opinions in our society, that can hurt. Great movie !!!

I've been looking for this DVD for awhile. Couldn't find it in the local stores. I went on Line and found it for a fair price and reasonable shipping. The DVD was brand new, sealed as if I bought from a store down the street. The quality is good with only one slight skip in about the middle of the film. Not a scratch but if a jump. This must have been down while making the DVD. Nothing to do with the seller on Ebay. I would buy another DVD on Ebay. Thank you.

This is definitely a different movie, you go from black and white to color!! It is like living from the old days to a bit more modern. I would definitely recommend this to any Reese Witherspoon fans!

This is one movie I recommend for anyone to watch. I liked the special effects and Don Knotts is in this movie, as well.

i bought this movie because it is agood movie . one that you can watch over again and you can watch it with your family.

I absolutely LOVE this movie, and it contains a real message. I initially bought the VHS tape on ebay, but with everything going to DVD, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to have this movie on DVD, also. Of course, as soon as I got it, I had to watch it to see if there were any flaws on the DVD. It was fine. Now I can watch it whenever I want. Hard to believe that both Toby McGuire and Reese Witherspoon are the 2 main characters. Great movie if you have the time to think about what you are watching and enjoy the 1950's style television as it is in both black & white and color.