Pleasantville

Name: Pleasantville
Released: 1998-10-1
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, J.T. Walsh

Pleasantville

PG-13
2h 3m
1998

85%

age 15+

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In this modern fairy tale an entire fictional town is granted a chance to experience the comedies and dangers of real life when two late 20th Century teenagers accidentally bring living color to a mysterious suburb trapped in a black-and-white '50s utopia--and set off a revolution.

Director:

Gary Ross

Producer:

Jon Kilik, Robert J. Degus, Steven Soderbergh, Gary Ross, Michael DeLuca, Mary Parent

Writer:

Gary Ross

Cast:

Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, J.T. Walsh, Reese Witherspoon, Don Knotts

Rotten Tomatoes® Score

TOMATOMETER®

85%

Critics Consensus: Filled with lighthearted humor, timely social commentary, and dazzling visuals, Pleasantville is an artful blend of subversive satire and well-executed Hollywood formula.

Reviews

TheIndependentCritic.com

Richard Propes

It is a reminder to me that the changes I wish to see in society I must first make within myself.

September 20, 2020

FULL REVIEW

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Kathi Maio

Is Pleasantville worth the trip? Sure. It's not the movie it might have been, but so few are.

Its true strength lies in what it says not only about life, but about ourselves.

Gary Ross (Big, Dave) makes an impressive directing debut with this charming, nicely executed fable, which contrasts values of the 1950s with those of the 1990s.

Great movie for high schoolers and their parents.

January 29, 2019

FULL REVIEW

Common Sense Media

age 15+

Common Sense Says

Thought-provoking look at past and present teen life.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Pleasantville contains lots of messages about living life to the fullest, the need for passion, and the courage to accept change. Sexual situations are frequent (including some loud moaning and paintings of nude figures), but a fair share of the references will go over young kids' heads. The term "Jesus Christ" is audible; words like "hell," "bitch," "s--t," and "f--k" are used a few times, too. Intolerant behavior leads to some riotous behavior (and a bloody lip). Teen smoking is briefly visible. All this being said, the main teen characters are strong and become positive role models.