Recent Review: Pleasantville (Released: 23rd October 1998)

"I'm getting a little concerned about what I'm seeing on some of these reruns."

'Pleasantville' is the story of David (Tobey Maguire) and Jen (Reese Witherspoon), two sibling teenagers who find themselves magically transported from the reality of the late 90's into the squeaky-clean fantasy of David's favourite television show: a sitcom from the 1950's. It is escapist nostalgia at its most sacrine, but for David it is a world where people are happy, safe and nothing ever has to change. His sister Jen does not share his fondness of 'Pleasantville', as unlike David she thinks she succeeds just fine in her own time and place. Their personality differences become immediately pronounced as they find themselves filling the roles of the two children of the Parker family – Bud and Mary-Sue. David's familiarity with their new setting helps them fit in, but he realises that they must continue to act in character or else it could have serious consequences. Jen however grows impatient, and starts to inject her modern lifestyle into her period role. She introduces the town to sex, music, art and most importantly; the idea that there is more to the world than Main Street and Elm Street.

The town is soon ideologically and visually galvanised; and the ensuing tensions are analogous to the real world tensions and struggles of the 1950's – race, freedom, gender values and more. Marketing for the film focused heavily on the cutting-edge visual effect of merging black & white with colour photography. As the residents of 'Pleasantville' learn and grow, they and their home literally transform from grey to technicolour. This effect is memorable and garnered deserved praise, never becoming too gimmicky as to distract from the story or the characters it is intended to represent.

In a sense, the moral of this parable is as obvious as the change from grey to colour; but the script is dense enough to support numerous interpretations. The world of 'Pleasantville' is openly criticised, but there are moments where it is clear that there are good aspects to it as well. Although it may be oppressive, ignorant and unchanging; Pleasantville can be optimistic, polite and restrained. These are social features that have nearly disappeared in modern times and are celebrated by this film. The script is careful to show both good and bad sides of conservative and liberal societies, but concludes that liberty is the only path to change; and although change is not always for the better it is the only way we can try to create a better world. This understanding is only my own, but this is a film which actively invites discussion and interpretation.

This was Tobey Maguire's first significant leading role and it's easy to see the qualities in his performance that lead to his casting in the title role of 'Spider-Man' (2002). He displays a sweet sincerity over a hidden centre of confidence and authority in his transformation from conformist to revolutionary. Reese Witherspoon shows the same qualities in reverse, as her external confidence is striped away by her experiences and reveals a lonely, unhappy person within.

'Pleasantville' is the work of writer/producer/director Gary Ross ('Big', 1988), who unfortunately is not as wildly a prolific film-maker as he should be. He demonstrates a clear, original vision without letting either himself or his actors become overwhelmed by the technical side of the production. As with many great films of the late 90's, 'Pleasantville' uses fantasy to question our real social values. It uses technology to enhance this fantasy but never forgets the power of good writing and talented actors. Even though the ideas are concerned with set times and places in the past, the broader themes of nostalgia, utopia and social change will continue to relate to audiences long into the future.

*****

(UK Release: 12th March 1999)