Review of Pleasantville (1998) by Aaron T — 03 Apr 2011

Pleasantville is one of those "Crazy guy takes the main characters into a different world so they learn a lesson" type deals, but its done in such a way that you can't help but just fucking love it. David and Jennifer are siblings who are living two different social lives. David is shy and introverted, while Jennifer is the exact opposite. David studies and likes to watch tv, while Jennifer goes out with boys and doesnt study at all. Well, shit goes down after they are both transferred into into Davids favorite tv show, Pleasantville. Everything in pleasantville is well....pleasant. That is until Jennifer and David show up. They start to turn a rather black and white show into color so to speak.

This movie does a great job of blending comedy, drama, and hell even fantasy. The script is very original and incredibly engaging. The best part about this movie is the visuals. jesus, everything looks beautiful. You especially notice the movies interesting visuals when you have both colored and black and white scenes in the movie.

The acting was great all around. Toby and and Reese were excellent, and I personally thought all of the supporting characters were great as 50's sitcom characters.

I guess my only complaint would be the ending, but that may be just a personal taste. A very minor complaint at that.

This and "The Truman Show" A very similar, and both great movies involving television.

Highly recommend this movie.