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Pleasantville
1998
Two modern American teenagers are sucked into their television set and end up living in a black-and-white fifties sitcom. Bewildered by their new world's naivete and innocence, they slowly start to add color and spice to the town's life. Eventually, however, they begin to question their influence, wondering if their advanced 90'.. Read more
| Starring | Tobey Maguire, Joan Allen, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels |
|---|---|
| Director | Gary Ross |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Pleasantville
Two modern American teenagers are sucked into their television set and end up living in a black-and-white fifties sitcom. Bewildered by their new world's naivete and innocence, they slowly start to add color and spice to the town's life. Eventually, however, they begin to question their influence, wondering if their advanced 90's attitudes are really that much better than those of the innocent past. Sterling effects and stand-out performances make this commentary on modern life a poignant, entertaining effort.
| Starring | Tobey Maguire, Joan Allen, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, William H. Macy, J.T. Walsh, Jane Kaczmarek, Don Knotts, Marley Shelton, Paul Walker, Marissa Ribisi |
|---|---|
| Director | Gary Ross |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 11 Oct 1999 Production year: 1998 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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This fantasy comedy boasts more special effects than Jurassic Park, but many are so subtle you barely notice them. Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon play sparring siblings who, while fighting over the TV remote control, get zapped inside Maguire's favourite soap, a 1950s re-run called “Pleasantville”. They find themselves in what is literally a black-and-white world — a time-warped tellyplace where the toilet stalls have no fittings because they couldn't be shown; where the library books have no words because they wouldn't be shown; where the men do all the work; and where a woman's place isn't just in the home, it's in the kitchen. How the youngsters' progressive attitude to sex and marriage begins to induce unfamiliar feelings in the show's two-dimensional caricatures forms the basis of this witty and affectionate comedy. And how these new-found emotions are depicted by the gradual encroachment of colour into their monochrome lives is where its brilliance lies. It's a clever concept, beautifully acted by a topnotch cast.
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It's 1998, a time of liberal homilies, and two youngsters from a broken home plainly need spiritual guidance: while... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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70 out of 73 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
superb
this film is superb. it starts with brother and sister, David and Jennifer arguing over what to watch on T.V.
Daivd wants to watch his favourite show 'Pleasantville' which is a black and white show set in the 1950's.
Jennifer wants to watch a music show.
Their argument leads to the remote control being broken, at which point a mysterious repairman leaves them a new one.
When using this remote control, it transports the pair to the idyllic place on the tv called Pleasantville.
Finding themselves trapped in this monochrome ( black and white) world, they try to fit in whilst finding a way back to reality.
The people of Pleasantville have never experienced art, rain, colour, or anything less than perfection, and have no awareness of a world or life outside of their town.
The arrival of the two teenagers sparks a change, and gradually colour and reality start encroaching on the life of this little town.
At this point we see the uglier side of reality developing, as some of the townspeople turn against the 'coloureds' and fight against any change in their existence.
This is a wonderful film to watch. It has a magical and funny side, whilst also managing to address the issue of prejudice.
Tobey Macguire and Reese Witherspoon, play the brother and sister roles in this film and are a perfect foil for each other.
well worth renting out. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
70 out of 73 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
superb
this film is superb. it starts with brother and sister, David and Jennifer arguing over what to watch on T.V.
Daivd wants to watch his favourite show 'Pleasantville' which is a black and white show set in the 1950's.
Jennifer wants to watch a music show.
Their argument leads to the remote control being broken, at which point a mysterious repairman leaves them a new one.
When using this remote control, it transports the pair to the idyllic place on the tv called Pleasantville.
Finding themselves trapped in this monochrome ( black and white) world, they try to fit in whilst finding a way back to reality.
The people of Pleasantville have never experienced art, rain, colour, or anything less than perfection, and have no awareness of a world or life outside of their town.
The arrival of the two teenagers sparks a change, and gradually colour and reality start encroaching on the life of this little town.
At this point we see the uglier side of reality developing, as some of the townspeople turn against the 'coloureds' and fight against any change in their existence.
This is a wonderful film to watch. It has a magical and funny side, whilst also managing to address the issue of prejudice.
Tobey Macguire and Reese Witherspoon, play the brother and sister roles in this film and are a perfect foil for each other.
well worth renting out. -
News and features
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Reynolds and Kudrow sign up to comedy
- 09 Sep 2008
Ryan Reynolds and Lisa Kudrow are set to appear in a new comedy written by the makers of Justice League, it has today been reported. Shooting for Paper Man, written by Kieran and Michele Mulroney, will begin in New York and Montauk during November, according to Variety. Jeff Daniels, who has previously featured in films such as Speed, The Hours and Pleasantville, has already been confirmed as the lead for the movie. Parts for Reynolds, star of X Men Origins: Wolverine, Smokin' Aces and The... Read more
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Two modern American teenagers are sucked into their television set and end up living in a black-and-white fifties sitcom. Bewildered by their new world's naivete and innocence, they slowly start to ... -