Soderbergh, S. & Ross, G. & Kilik, J & Degus, B. (Producers) & Ross, G. (Director). Pleasantville [Motion picture]. (1998). United States: New Line Cinema.
Plot Summary:
Dorky David is eager to stay up and watch a marathon of his favorite golden oldie, Pleasantville. Unfortunately, socially and sexually-active twin sister, Jennifer, also plans to use the television. They fight over the remote and it breaks, summoning a mysterious little fellow to their door in a TV repair van. He quizzes David on Pleasantville and is impressed by his knowledge. He gives him a special remote control and when David and Jennifer fight over it, they are sucked into the Pleasantville world. They become Bud and Mary Sue, two teens who are shown in black and white colors with perfect 1950-era parents. Bud tries to fit in, but Jennifer is convinced that "nobody is happy in a poodle skirt." As they slowly draw the reality of human desire out of the de-colored Pleasantville people, they begin to turn into colorized characters. Jennifer discovers that she has a serious side and David learns he's able to speak out and lead their parents into discovering their own inner desires. The conservative mayor tries to fight the changes happening to his town which leads to an ultimate showdown in the town hall.
Critical Evaluation: This is a nice portrait of two very different teen twins dealing with their broken home in very different ways. As a result, they learn to become a bit more like each other. Pleasantville is a strangely perfect town, which underlies the movies parallels to very real world Nazi Germany and America’s history of racism. The movie is gently mocking of popular culture and our love of nostalgia. It’s great fun to watch, as we’re not sure how it will end. Teens will enjoy the honest reflections about accepting one’s self and becoming open to change. It’s a great feel-good movie about the dangerous pressure to conform to a utopian society’s ideals and every individual’s need to acknowledge their true longings.
Reader’s Annotation:
Ever loved a TV show so much that you wished you could live there? David gets his chance to be a part of the black and white world of Pleasantville, but as things start to change, his life becomes very colorful.
Information About the Director:
Gary Ross was born in 1956 to a film industry family. He developed his career as a screenwriter, producer, actor and director, yet also has gained a solid reputation for crafting political speeches for President Bill Clinton. Ross has been involved with several organizations, including serving as the Chairman of the Los Angeles Public Library Commission and a delegate for the Democratic National Convention. Pleasantville received numerous awards and nominations, including an Best Original Screenplay Academy Award, a Golden Satellite Award and a Writer’s Guild of America award.
Genre:
Teen Issues: Racism
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Alternate/Parallel World: Time Travel
Science Fiction: Utopia/Distopia
Multicultural Fiction: Multiple Culture and Culture Clash
Curriculum Ties: English class, Social Studies class, Psychology class, Filmmaking class, History class, Book clubs, Social clubs
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) The role of colors in this film
2.) How David and Jennifer view the world differently
3.) How every character changes during the story
4.) The value of independent thinking
5.) Racism in America during past eras
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9-12
Challenge Issues/Defenses:
Potential Challenges:
• References to sexual behavior
• Depictions of violence
• Depictions of infidelity
• Portrayals of racism and sexism
Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Refer to awards won by this movie from reputable organizations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasantville_film_
• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pleasantville/
• Provide movie reviews by professional movie critics and their reputable publications:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/pleasantville/4041/critic-reviews
• Provide advisory reviews for parents about this movie’s content and age appropriateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/pleasantville
Why This Book Was Included: I loved this film when it was first released and it would still be relevant today, especially since Tobey McGuire and Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, William H. Macy are still popular actors. I think teens would really “get it” and have a good time laughing about bygone eras, as they learn good lessons about being true to themselves.
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