Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10042 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-10-11
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

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

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Crew Info
Music Video
Deleted Scenes
US and International Trailers
Special Effects
Product Design Stills
Interactive Menu
Letterbox Ratio 16:9
Dolby Digital 5.1
Languages: English

Synopsis
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.

Customer Reviews

Are Teresa and I the Only People Who Understood This Film!!!???
"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!!
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
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!