Rating: 
Summary: How to make a masterpiece...
Review: One day, at the video place I work at(eeriely, in the town of "PLEASANTON"), a woman told me how much she hated Pleasantville. I asked her why and she basically told me that it made "good things" seem "bad" and "bad things" seem "good". Such is the case in this movie, as J.T. Walsh's character, "Big Bob" demonstrates. I then noticed that this is the same woman who wanted to rent "Midnight Express" to "instill the fear of God" in her kids. Such is puritanism. 1998's "Pleasantville" was a much over-looked film that was ignored for the main reasons above. This is one of the few films of last year that I could honestly say I want to see it again and mean it. It's the movie that "What Dreams May Come" should have been: light on the effects and art direction...use it as your back-drop like a fine painting. Then, you fill in your plot and characters. And they pick some fine ones. Tobey Maguire is wonderfully innocent as his Pleasantville reincarnation, Bud. He basically is obssessed with this old television show that he watches like a religion that his sister, Jennifer(Reese Witherspoon)/Mary Sue(when she is in P-ville) absolutely detests. Bud represents the connection to the old times and how his character changes from start to finish is truly something to behold. Jennifer, as I said, is his exact opposite. She basically sleeps around, drinks, smokes, and occasionally studies until her and Bud are sucked inside of the show via a magical remote control(you have to suspend belief a little for this one to work) given to them by a magical T.V. Repairman(Don Knotts in a wonderful return to his great years) when their remote control is broken as a result of a fight over the one thing America craves: television. And the world they soon inhabit is "perfect". This is what America used to be: black-and-white. No arguments, no taboos, no people different from themselves. It's amazing, by looking at this place, to see how much we have changed. That's the main point and focus of this film. In Pleasantville, we meet the typical 50's-sitcom, Mom and Dad (played by Academy Award Nominees Joan Allen and William H. Macy, respectively), the mayor of the town(J.T. Walsh, who has never been better) and the town diner waiter(Jeff Daniels, in a performance that should have had him nominated). Tobey basically tells his sister, "Mary Sue" not to change their universe. It could all go to hell. So much for that! The first boy Mary dates, she has a relationship with and soon, teaches him about all the wisdom of 90's dating. This is where the changes start to occur. Pretty soon, the town is blooming in color with some great symbolism. If you think about it, sex is what started the change, which relates to STD's today. At Lover's Lane, the girl picks the apple off the tree, which starts the "sin" in the town, just like Adam and Eve's tale. And let's not forget the "No Coloreds Allowed" signs in the shop windows, showing us the racism that this country showed at one time. And how about the book-burning scene? Reminiscent of Hitler, wasn't it? How about when Bud punched Whitey and red blood bled from his black and white face? Just goes to show you that know matter how different we look, we all have the same blood in us. Some of the best parts are the inside jokes. The writers must love "The Simpsons" because one of the neighbors is "Mr. Simpson" and the town that Jenny travels to is "Springfield". I could go on forever. Pleasantville was that good. And so, this film is for the purists. This film shows you that with time, there comes change. And the best part is, you will never know what will come next. --Matt
Rating:
Summary: Watch this and it'll enchant you... if you let it
Review: Many reviewers approached Pleasantville with the jaded, cynical view that seems to naturally develop after being paid to watch one too many Michael Bay movies. The fact is that Pleasantville is a tremendously sweet and powerful movie -- but is incapable of weathering the sort of criticism-for-its-own-sake that permeates our culture, a culture still trying to choke down postmodernism. Gary Ross spins a lovely, magical fairy tale set in a visually remarkable world where symbolism can be quite literal. The above reviews are right in their summaries of the plot, but overestimate the forced-nature of the symbolism. This is a great movie, but has received a lukewarm reception from critics... of course, I have a feeling those same folks would pick apart "It's a Wonderful Life" if they'd been alive when it was made... screw 'em.
Rating:
Summary: its an alright movie
Review: to watch a movie in black and white was coo
Rating:
Summary: omigod!!!!
Review: I LOVE this movie!! I have no respect for the Academy of Motion Pictures anyway, but when I saw the terrible reviews it got and how it wasn't nominated for Best Pic, I went nuts. This is one of the most beautiful movies of the year, and seeing it was one of the best things I've ever done. What the hell are people thinking?? GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! Trust me, you'll NEVER regret it!!
Rating:
Summary: Best movie of 1998
Review: I recently saw "Pleasantville" and I was amazed. It was original plot and everything was just simply amzing about it. I'm suprised that it wasen't nomintated for best original screenplay. This moive got terrible reviews but thsoe people are just dumb. Everybody should see this movie, it shows just how the real world is and how it should be. As I said before, I was dazzled at it's special effects, plot, and everything in between. The first day this movie comes out, I'm going to buy it. EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THIS MOVIE!
Rating:
Summary: Truly a remarkable film. One of the year's best!
Review: Pleasantville is one of the most original films of the decade. It can be enjoyed on so many levels. Some may see a heartwarming tale with stunning visuals, others a telling commentary on society. Some will see a warning of where we are heading and what we have lost... our innocence. I saw all of those buried in a beautiful script and superb acting. Missing this film should be a crime. Watch it and you will laugh, cry and think about life's joys and evils. ENJOY! 96/100
Rating:
Summary: An eye openning look at the wonders of change
Review: Pleasantville is a wonderful examination of the treat and reward of change. Within each of the characters you can experience the many emotional responses one can anticipate when the foundational structure of a belief system is challenged by something new. The interplay of black and white with color does a wonderful job of accentuating the experience of the new difference. This film can be viewed for the shear pleasure, or, for the lessons it offers as it delves into the psyche of each and every one of us.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!!!
Review: Just spectacular. Visuals, theme, everything
Rating:
Summary: Far more than Black and White...
Review: "Pleasantville" proved that nothing really is as simple as Black and White. A talented ensemble brought Gary Ross' words to life in a film that he himself directed. After such writing efforts as "Dave" and "Big," Ross combined his talent for smart dialogue with his creative edge to bring about a truly extraordinary film in his directorial debut. "Pleasantville" painted a stunning picture of modern day society, both figuratively and literally, and honestly illustrated the quote unquote 'corruption' that seems to plague today's youth. The story was unique and gripping, and introduced the characters to Pleasantville in a combination of witty dialogue and innovative cinematography. Tobey Maguire was perfectly cast as David (Bud Parker), the loveable 'boy next door' with something of an obsession with a television series from the late 50's. Reese Witherspoon's Jennifer (Mary-Sue Parker), David's sister, was the embodiment of everything the series frowned upon, or rather, knew nothing about. After a seemingly random accident, David and Jennifer found themselves trading their everyday lives (not to mention their skin pigmentation) for a chance to live the ideal life...in Pleasantville. David was naturally thrilled at first, while Jennifer was less than enthusiastic. While her brother knew the importance of keeping up the black and white charade, she arrived in Pleasantville with no intention of following the rules. And while once immersed in her 'new world' of black and white, Jennifer came to appreciate the simple life, the damage was done. David was left with having to try and prevent the Pleasantville universe from falling apart or risk the only chance he and his sister had of returning home. With brilliant performances from a superior cast ensemble led by Jeff Daniels and Joan Allen, the film was one of the best of 1998. The visual design and exceptional film editing only worked to contribute to a magnificent movie experience. All things considered, above all, the movie asked the ever-important question: "What's beyond Pleasantville?"
Rating:
Summary: One of the years best films.
Review: Pleasantville is a masterpiece of cinema
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