Rating: 
Summary: Thought-provoking and memorable
Review: I won't belabor the reader with yet another synopsis of this film, as other reviewers here have that ground covered quite well. Instead I'll simply explain why a conservative Christian like me would be so high on this film.No, the moral message is not tidy. Yes, some of the subject matter is definitely questionable. But the fact is, I've rarely seen a film tackle this difficult subject matter quite so well. The ultimate message seems to be that TV's golden age had its good points, but the repression and impatient conformity seen in that era were prime reasons the modern age may be better in spite of itself. As for the film's apparent conclusion that a more modern mindset is preferable, however, even that seems ambiguous, as some '50s lives are torn apart by the changes that take place in the story. The modern age certainly has its downside in lost innocence, but for some that cost has paid off in a different sociologic dynamic that opens new doors. Those of us who would perhaps prefer a more "pleasant" world must consider the downside there as well, as it cannot be denied for instance that intolerance existed to an unacceptable degree, with unacceptable results. The '50s world was certainly not as pleasant as it was portrayed in the Pleasantville-type sitcoms of the '50s, and the culture clash in this film is indeed thought-provoking and memorable. To sum up, the filmmaker correctly portrays the "then or now" dilemma with fondness for the past but hope for the future. The cinematography, sets, and effects are spectacular, and there's rarely a false note in the performance of any of the actors, but ultimately what I'm left with is a not-unpleasant discomfort over the message left behind by the story of this unique film. It's something I'll ponder for quite awhile, and that's a gift that should earn any film four stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantville is where I want to live
Review: I love this movie. It is everything that this world needs to be.
I love Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire. They are excellent in this movie. It reminds me of Leave it to Beaver. I only wish that we could all have a little bit of pleasantville in our towns. I would recommend this movie to anybody who loves to watch movies that make them feel good. The ending is confusing because you don't know if Betty will stay with Bill or not but I still love the movie anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: "Pleasantville"; not too pleasant
Review: David and Jennifer Wagner (Tobey Maguire & Reese Witherspoon) are your typical teens from the 90's. But nothing prepares them for what would happen when a mysterious TV repairman (Don Knotts) gives them an strange TV remote controller. Suddenly, the two teens are transported into the 50's TV sitcom series, "Pleasantville". David and Jennifer are now Bud and Mary Sue Parker. Their parents are George Parker, (William H. Macy) who always knows best, and Betty Parker, (Joan Allen), the perfect suburban wife who stays at home working in the kitchen. There's the corner malt shop owned by Bill Johnson (Jeff Daniels), only two main streets to the whole town, the high school basketball team who NEVER misses a shot, and most important of all, everything is in black and white! It's not long before the two teens expose the 50's culture to some 90's liberalism, free-thinking ideas, and (gasp, should I say it?) sex. But ultimately, the biggest change taking place is the mysterious appearances of colors... Now that I've written the synopsis, "Pleasantville", I've come to the most difficult part of writing a review, putting your thoughts and opinions of the movie down. And I must say, "Pleasantville" is an especially difficult movie to write a review on. First off, let's put down the good points of the film. The acting was very well done, the older actors standing out the most. William H. Macy had one scene towards the end where he was just terrific! Jeff Daniels was also superb, in the beginning where he's just so confused because David/Bud is doing things out of synch was just so funny! And Joan Allen develops her character nicely. As everyone has most probably mentioned, the special effects are simply fantastic and breathtaking! I especially loved the scene where David/Bud and his girlfriend are driving in the black and white world with beautiful pink cherry blossoms in the trees and pink petals floating all around. And during the whole, seeing the colors progressively appear everywhere ends at the end in beautiful and vibrant color! Ok, now on the bad points of the film. The whole idea behind "Pleasantville" I thought was pretty original and a great idea to make into a movie. Unfortunately, the director Gary Ross seemed to be mixed up himself on some points. The first half of the film was oriented well, the humor was incorporated well and you had a faint clue of what will happen. Then everything suddenly seems to get confused. The real question presented throughout the film is 'which is really the better life, the 50's culture or the 90's culture'? Well, by the end of the film, I assure you that this question is never really answered. What happens instead is that we are hinted that the 90's liberalism is more 'fulfilling'. But more fulfilling than the actual 50's or only the black and white sitcoms from the 50's? Either way, it doesn't really make sense. And there's one point I didn't like about the film. The sexual content in the film was most disturbing for me. In the director's commentary, he says that 'from an animal and human existence, recognition of sex and sexual urges are so basic that without them, you cannot fully explore other aspects of your existence.' Well, excuse me? So it's ok to have premarital sex and to commit adultery? How is that really supposed to help anybody? And there's an especially weird and gross scene where I just used the fast forward button. The end is also strange. Instead of Betty Parker deciding whether she'll stick with her husband or get together with her new boyfriend, she says something like 'let's just take it one day at a time'. Major question mark! I guess the movie was in a way thought provoking, but in a dark sense. In one sense I'm all for being a bit more free-thinking and not too tied down but rules. But there is a line you shouldn't cross, for instance casual sex. I think if the movie had tried to teach that there should be a balance to everything, it would have turned out right. Instead, the movie feels uneven and confusing. To sum it up, even the most basics of any good morals are absent from a film which could have tried to praise and encourage good morals. The movie is very correctly rated PG-13 for sexual innuendo, paintings of nudity, and some language. I stress strongly that this film is not for younger children, not only because of the ratings, but because I think they just won't understand anything. All in all, a bit of a disappointing movie experience.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Funny fantasy & Witty Social Commentary
Review: Many of us late-boomer-early buster generation types watched Leave it to Beaver, Mayberry RFD and other such sit-coms that idealized the 1950s. We often were tempted to think of how nice it would be to live in such times, without broken families, pervasive crudeness, violence, and the general loss of trust in social institutions that pervaded our times. Pleasantville plays on those feelings by throwing a couple of modern-day teenagers into such a world. The two respond with opposite approaches. The young man initially enjoys the nostalgic fantasy, while his sister is bored and frustrated. Gradually the both come to terms with the limitations and underlying hypocrisies of such portrayals, and then examine their own lives. The use of "color" in the movie is creative and powerful. The allegory of color as a quest for freedom, and the marrying of that with the civil rights movement of the 1960s proved an ingenious device. It might have played out a little more subtlely though. Bottom-line: This is a deceivingly witty, cute film. It carries layers of nuanced social commentary, sure to sitr much thought. It rates 5-stars for acting and originality.
Rating:
Summary: A FANTASTIC AND DELIGHTFUL MOVIE.
Review: "Pleasantville" tells the story of David and Jennifer, a couple of teen brothers who are like water and oil; David (Tobey Maguire) is a shy and cool guy obsessed with a 1950's TV sitcom "Pleasantville"; Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) is a beautiful, popular and modern girl whose main interests are dating with boys and watch MTV. One day, at the same time are shown on TV a "Pleasantville" marathon and a special concert on MTV, so David and Jennifer struggle for the remote control and break it. Mysteriously, an old man shows up with a magical remote control, and when the teens activate it, they are transported into Pleasantville, where they have to interact with the characters of the show, and everything is in black and white. But when Jennifer brings modern life elements into the life of the old-fashioned characters, the things begin to change, every time that someone does something different, the people and things of Pleasantville change from black and white to colors. This movie is a breath of fresh air, the entire movie is very, very amusing and original. The movie makes a satire and a homage to the 1950's society at the same time. Also the movie criticizes very important issues, like the racism, the ridiculous discrimination to people who are different to "normal", and the exaggerated devotion to the TV. Everybody in the movie delivers a strong performance, all the cast is superb, it's a shame that the Academy didn't take too seriously "Pleasantville". The movie is a candy to the eye, the photography combines in a perfect way the black & white with the rest of the colors. "Pleasantville" is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: A movie that comes once in a blue moon
Review: One of the most terrific special effects done in a movie was definitely in this film. The mixture of colors between the black and white and colored people and objects were superb, especially in the DVD edition. Add to that a well written and funny screenplay, a good background score, and wonderful young actors to provide you entertainment in a movie. This movie is one of my favorite Hollywood movies in the sense that it does not bombard you with CGI or extraordinary special effects lacking with plot development. Pleasantville is an artistic craft that puts audience in awe especially during the development of the plot. In the end, we will all realize that there is only one permanent thing in this world, and that is: change. I think the DVD edition could provide more special effects like maybe interviews from Tobey, Reese, etc. I was not satisfied with the supplementary features because it doesn't really add to anything except maybe when they show how the art of pleasantville was done. Still, the movie is great. A worth buy!
Rating:
Summary: haha, what a funny movie.
Review: this movie was very enjoyable. Reese Witherspoon and Tobey McGuire (if that's how you spell his last name) work very well together as sister and brother. Paul Walker is very funny in this movie, playing Witherspoon's love intrest in Pleasantville. Pleasantville was a great movie revolving around the theme of Individuality VS Conformity. Individuality wins, as people in Pleasantville start becoming in color, as the people who still decided to conform stay black and white.
Rating:
Summary: Top notch!
Review: Pleasantville is quite probably one of the greatest films of all time. Each cast member in the film delivers a stellar performance from William H. Macy to Tobey Maguire to Paul Walker and even to Don Knotts. This film shows the importance of education, critical thought, and expressing oneself. It is a message that continually finds new meanings in the American experience, whether it be in the Salem Witch Hunts, the McCarthy Communist Hunts, or even current infringements on civil liberties and deciding who is and isn't a "patriot." This film manages to show how important being an individual is. It shows how much one person can make a difference. It is, once again, one of the best films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: The way our world should be
Review: Pleasantville is not only a great movie, but also a great message to all who see it about the true meaning of kindness, love, and...well, pleasantness. I believe that if there were more movies like this, our world would be a much better place. Although the situation is a little fakish, the plot is incredibly smart and fresh, and I personally believe there are no better visual effects out there so far. Acting is a little stiff, but the characters are fantastic. One of the best scenes is the basketball court, when they make and then miss. A truly magical movie about the way our world should be. DVD could use a little more, however is fine the way it is, and the movie in and of itself, is nothing short of perfect, entertaining, and a gem.
Rating:
Summary: Good.
Review: The tenets of 50s American sitcom mores, values, dress codes and the one-dimensional characters which symbolise and exemplify the socio/economic/political superstructure of 50's America with all their staid, repressed and reserved traits, are thoughtfully meditated on in this film, and contrasted with the tenets of more contemporary sitcoms. The film could be accused of obvious, linear plotting, leading to a woefully sacharine and 'manufactured' resolution, the characters ending up as nothing but vacuously machinated symbolic entities being conrolled by an aloof director. I beg to differ, however. Witherspoon and Maguire's characters represent the fresher faces of t.v. shows, like Beverly Hills 90210, etc etc. They, as with their sepia toned counterparts, are not meant to represent 'real' people 'sucked' through a television tube, but charcaters designed and conceptualised as they would be for a modern prime-time television show. This is the film's genius; as we all know, one of the tenets of any easily digestable sitcom, modern or archaic, is the proverbial happy ending. The Resoultion MUST bring the narrative and individual character arcs to their conclusion. If the ending to 'PLeasantiville' seems a little tough to take, it should be useful to remember hat the pandora's shmorgasboard (mixing metaphors, sorry) opened up must be neatly finished off within the context of the framing narrative and the core narrative. If one observes carefully, the ending is actually surprisingly ambiguous, and fulfills the ends required for it's status as a feature film as opposed to a television series. The FILM, as a function of its very nature, contains a wonderfully postmodern twist (the film's 'text' referring back to the obvious as well as the oblique process' of another set of general texts i.e. t.v sitcom 'texts' of the 50's and late 90's) from the television's medium's older sibling, quite a 'check mate', by way of the (implied) writer/director, of course.
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