Review of Pleasantville (1998) by Urmom — 26 Feb 2015

The Garden of Pleasantville.

(SPOILER ALERT) The film “Pleasantville” is the story of two teenagers, David (conformist), and Jennifer (rebellious), who get themselves into a mess. There is a marathon on TV of David’s favorite show, and a contest to win 1,000 dollars, but Jennifer has a date with a guy to watch a concert on the TV. David and Jennifer fight over the remote and break it. The TV repair man knocks at the door and gives them a remote. They fight again and both get sucked into the show. Jennifer starts to rebel and starts changing the nature of Pleasantville. David doesn't agree with what Jennifer is doing and tries to keep things the way they were, but eventually starts giving in and changes things as well. Pleasantville witch starts out as a “perfect” black and white world changes to a society of free will and color. David, who starts out as a conforming guy, adds a bit of rebellion into his life. Jessica, who starts out as a rebellious girl, eventually goes to college and adds conformity into her life.

Pleasantville is compared to the Garden of Eden and the story of Adam and Eve. There are many similar things about the two stories. In the both stories there is a bigger man in power. In the story of Adam and Eve, Eve is the one who rebels against God, while in Pleasantville Jennifer is the rebellious one. Adam is also the one conforming until he is tempted by Eve and in Pleasantville David is tempted by Jennifer to rebel. Overall there are many similarities.

Although there are many comparisons, there is also many differences. In the story of Adam and Eve there is the serpent that gives Eve the temptation to eat the apple, but in Pleasantville Jennifer is already rebellious on her own. In the story of Adam and Eve, after they rebel and eat the apple from the forbidden tree on knowledge the world is instantly messed up, but in Pleasantville there is a gradual change between the changes. Another major difference between the stories is that in genesis rebellion doomed everyone for the rest of eternity, but in Pleasantville the rebellion is a change for the better.

I do enjoy this movie overall. They put in many symbolism that make you think and make connections with outside life. The movie also has many humorous moments that will make you bust out laughing. It will have you clinching your teeth and wondering what’s going to happen next. I highly recommend watching this movie and enjoy just as I have.