Pleasantville is a black and white fifties TV show which promotes family values very much like The Waltons. One of its greatest fans is the geek David (Maguire) who is the antithesis of his sister Jennifer (Witherspoon) who is a college slut. I�d like to say �the� college slut but they don�t seem to be in short supply. When a coffin-dodging repair man fixes the kids TV he is so impressed with Bud�s knowledge of the show that he gives the siblings a dodgy remote which transports them straight into the TV show as the principal families children, Bud and Mary-Lou Parker. Finding themselves trapped they have no choice but to try and adapt to the fifties idealised lifestyle and their nineties values soon begin to introduce a bit of colour into the lives of Pleasantville�s inhabitants.
Because it�s a fifties show Pleasantville is all black-and-white but when people start behaving in an �un-Pleasant� manner colours begin appearing. Things also begin going wrong. The previously unbeatable basketball team suddenly can�t shoot a basket and Mary Lou shows the local teenagers what it really means to �pin� someone. The change is not all one way either. As their stay progresses the twins find Pleasantville is having as much of an effect on them as they are on it.
Unsurprisingly, the more conservative inhabitants of Pleasantville object to the changes and begin to fight back. The story then becomes a metaphor for race relations as the �coloureds� are persecuted by the greys. The coloureds led by Bud are forced to contend with issues like censorship and freedom of speech as well as being attacked and having their premises damaged.
Pleasantville is a very clever and witty film which has plenty to say about society but delivers it without preaching. The effects are very good with the contrast between black-and-white and colour visually stunning. A strong cast turns in some excellent performances, especially Joan Allen as Bud�s mother and Jeff Daniels as a burger bar owner who simply wants to paint with beautiful colours. The film is ultimately idealistic but never becomes over-sentimental and leaves you with a warm, happy feeling inside. I would highly recommend it. |
