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Must See Movie...

Best movie ever!

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

So obviously reading just the synopsis you understand the sort of film this is going to be: metaphorical, proverbial, working on two levels, that sort of thing...So the film does well jumping straight right into its plot, almost too quick perhaps but the whole first part and middle part are really well made. You're right in the thick of what the movie-makers set you up for, and you find yourself willing to play the little game to see just where exactly they're taking you. It's lots of fun, and the anticipation for answers is at a high level. The whole thing with the colors, the symbols, the 'changes'...Eventually, the last act, about the whole last third, gets increasingly disappointing as it goes. Very broadly, instead of a deeper unraveling of the concept of truth or something along those lines of philosophical nobility and wisdom and touching, we're fed a totally biased ideological realization of the plot. All of a sudden, it feels a bit like a hoax to have been sitting for two hours plus of this. It ultimately promotes chaos and going wild and doing just what you want solely because you want it at that time. Basically the whimsy responsibility-free behaviors of adults of our day. Now that can't be a good message.Some points for the intriguing, genuinely interestingly crafted first part, but it could and should've been plenty deeper in its conclusions, kept its level quality from the first to the last part, and most certainly should've had an ending at least the quality of the girth of it, rather than the girth being much better. It's wrapped up, manufactured and rushed into our faces like a mere consumable product when it's supposed to be deep and emotional and intellectual and all.6/10.

Pleasantville is probably one of my favourite films. It's an American fantasy movie released in 1998 that tells the story of two teenagers living in the nineties who accidentally enter a fifties black-and- white sitcom which takes place in a town called Pleasantville. In this « utopic » place, all the people are perfect and innocent, but the arrival of the two teenagers will completely disturb the life of the inhabitants.. While changes will be generated, colours will start to appear in this black-and-white world.One first interesting point is obviously the use of colours, which will appear little by little as the residents of Pleasantville will start to have some real feelings and emotions generated by the presence of the two intruders, what will make them an essential part of the plot. Moreover the way they will be brought out throughout the story is really interesting as well : from a red rose representing love to the burning bush, they are all symbols and metaphors. Although the humour seems to be a little bit lightweight at the beginning, a lot of deeper subjects will be progressively developed. Indeed, Pleasantville is not only a comedy, it's also a drama that covers different topics and abstract ideas, such as tolerance, liberty,justice v.s. totalitarianism,.. A lot of important concepts to think about.. One last thing that I like is that it is a film that can be considered as « humanist ». In other words, a lot of human values are highlighted in it, like tolerance, kindness, compassion, generosity, education,..Art is also celebrated thanks to the contrast between a completely grey world and the progressive apparition of colours in it, which makes you aware of the importance of colours.To sum up, I think Pleasantville is a wonderful experience to watch for its nice atmosphere, its way of representing humanity, and, above all, for the pleasure of the eyes, generated by the amazing play with colours.

This movie has a definite charm about it. In the show, blending the withdrawn fantasies of the main character created by a harsh true life with the nostalgic yearning for a flawless existence seen only at a distance in a television program, supernatural consequences occur beginning with the unintended urges of the brother played by Tobey McGuire, when he and his sister start an unexpected argument. At odds with each other from the beginning, their escape into the TV sitcom Pleasantville reflects to the audience like a symbolic moral issue about the need to change for progress to happen and how a few brave souls can really make a difference. I am impressed to see actor Don Knotts in here since I was always amused at his comedies and his role on the Andy Griffith show. This movie has a great story line to build these ideas into it and Pleasantville ends up pleasant after all in a very opposite sort of way. Entertaining young people, and some old, as well as quenching viewers' curiosities about an earlier time, the film follows through logically and with nice acting too. Pleasantville represents an extraordinary displacement of events which will provoke viewers' wonder. Or it may be that it is contrasting an ordinary '50's life-style against an idealistic, yet inhibiting, make-believe world intending to argue the point of 'which is better'? Whichever perspective you want to approach it from, it stimulates a lasting impression on the movie-goer. This show is well worth trying for lighthearted fantasy entertainment intended to be seen by a wide spectrum of audiences.

Gary Ross's Pleasantville is one of the most heartfelt, creative, thought provoking dramedies I've seen in a while. I was floored by its benign, lighthearted first third, which gives way to some unexpectedly deep social commentary, brought to life bu truly remarkable performances, and stunning, storybook cinematography that looks like Sin City had a baby with Rumble Fish. Tobey Maguire, an actor I usually can't stand, is nicely low key, while his sister Reese Witherspoon gets the peppy, in your face persona. Following a terse bit of sibling rivalry, a strange TV repairman shows up, bestowing on them an ancient looking replacement remote. Before they can ask where he even came from, they are magically whisked from their 1990's living room right into TV land, specifically a cheery black and white 1950's sitcom called Pleasentville. They find themselves in a gosh golly, apple pie, white picket fence realm of perky, smiling housewives, rampant celibacy (the characters in this town are essentially shells of humans, and have no idea what sex is...yet;). The naive, mentally stunted townsfolk function at the truncated level that the show's writing is allowed, resulting in strangely robotic, stepford wives like versions of people. That all changes however, when Witherspoon introduces a highschool hunk (Paul Walker, hilarious) to the ol' hanky panky. From there on in the townspeople gradually discover books, music, art, and as such start to see the world in vibrant colors, and become colored themselves. It's a genius idea for a film that's executed perfectly, with some scenarios that really pay off, making you feel and think. J.T. Walsh, always fantastic, plays the town's fearful skeptic of a mayor. William H. Macy nails the father role perfectly (Where's my dinner?!), Joan Allen gives the best work I've ever seen her do, giving force and gentle feeling to the wife who starts exploring herself, and the world around her. The crown jewel acting wise though is Jeff Daniels, as an aloof diner owner who discovers an affinity for the arts. He brings such a warmth and budding humanity to the role. There's subtext relating to Mccarthy-ism, and not letting the powers that be tell how you what to like, how to feel or what to do. There's a lot to enjoy in this package, and indeed all aspects are done so well its a wonder this one hasn't retained acclaim over the years.