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Pleasantville
review by Zach B.
Rated PG-13
Starring Toby Maguire, Reese Whiterspoon Jeff Daniels,
Joan Allen, William H. Macy, J.T. Walsh. Don Knotts
Running Time: 124 Minutes
Written, Produced and Directed by Gary Ross
Retail Price: 24.99
Features: Audio Commentary with Gary Ross, Isolated
Score with commentary by Randy Newman, "The Art Of
Pleasantville" behind the scenes featurette, Fiona Apple's
music video "Across The Universe", Storyboard Gallery,
Original Theatrical Trailer, Color TV Set up. DVD ROM:
Script to Screen with Storyboards, Web access and weblinks
Specs: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English 5.1 Dolby
Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, English
Captions, Chapter Search
I felt "Pleasantville" was overlooked for some major
awards. Yes, it was noticed for it's artistry and Randy
Newman's excellent score, but I felt this movie brought up
some excellent points about society and values.
"Pleasantville" begins with a brother and sister, by the
names of David and Jennifer (Maguire and Whiterspoon). They
couldn't be more different. David is the nerdy one who is
used to rejection and being alone, and Jennifer is the
rebellious, angry teen. However, one fateful night, they
break the television remote. A creepy TV repaiman (Don
Knotts!) shows up at their door instantly, and begins
testing David, a big "Pleasantville" TV show fan, on various
episodes. Impressed, the repairman gives David a special
remote, and the two siblings begin to argue over it, and
soon, become trapped in the world of "Pleasantville" itself.
However, we soon learn Pleasantville is a safe place, filled
with meandering repitition. However, thanks to David and
Jennifer's arrival, the world slowly of black and white
slowly changes to color. This sparks controversey in
Pleasantville, and a segregation between the ones in black
and white (normal) and the ones in color (different) takes
place.
With that said, "Pleasantville" shows the power of change
and what it can do, as well as commentaries on moral issues
such as segregation. Gary Ross creates an excellent world,
which though is new to us, we seem to know so well. His
script is very good and original, and his direction is
superb. The performances are excellent. William H. Macy does
his usual but brilliant supporting role, Joan Allen is
moving as the repressed wife of Macy, Jeff Daniels as the
soda shop worker looking for something exicting as new, the
late great J.T. Walsh as one of the insecure but leading
townspeople, Knotts as the weird TV repairman and Maguire
and Whiterspoon as the ones who help change Pleasantville.
The art direction is breathtaking, and Randy Newman's score
is right on par. For an excellent drama, look no further
than "Pleasantville". It shouldn't be missed.
"Pleasantville" is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic
widescreen and all I have to say is that no one should be
disappointed with New Line's excellent transfer. A movie
with this kind of artistic beauty needs to be handled with
care, and thankfully, it has, with excellent care. I felt
compression could have been a little better, but I did not
notice any grain, dirt or artifacts (except during
"Pleasantville" episodes, which are supposed to be that way
showing the show's age). There was also some slight edge
enhanment, but nothing noticeable at all. The colors and
fleshtones perfectly fit the film and are accurate, and you
can see all of the majestic beauty clearly. Detail is
perfect, and the blacks are really solid. I was also glad to
see New Line only offered the widescreen version of the film
(then again, this edition has a lot of supplements, so maybe
it did not fit). I really feel this movie should be viewed
in widescreen, so we see every little detail of the movie in
its full glory. An exceptional transfer.
The English 5.1 Dolby Digital track is really nice. This
movie is all talk mostly, but there are some great surround
effects. There are some crashes and loud style effects now
and then, but Randy Newman's score really makes up the rear
channels. Randy Newman's score is really beautiful, and it's
a pleasure to hear. The mix is very well done and uses
everything in correct way. The .1 LFE is used a lot better
than I expected.
A "New Line Platinum Series" disc, Pleasantville is
filled with some great supplements sure to please any fans
of the film. For starters, there is an audio commentary with
writer/director/producer Gary Ross. It's an interesting and
very good commentary, as he explains some of the character
development and elements of the film. Randy Newman's
beautiful score comes isolated in a seperate 5.1 track, and
during moments of silence, he explains about the score and
all. His score is beautiful, and his commentary is quite
nice. Fiona Apple's "Across the Universe" music video is
included, and was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (the
writer and director of "Magnolia" and "Boogie Nights"). The
music video takes place at the soda shop, a key place in the
film, and the song's moody feel is nice. It's a good video.
A storyboard gallery is included, as well as a behind the
scenes featurette entitled "The Art of Plesantville". The
original theatrical trailer is presented in anamorphic
widescreen with 5.1 audio, and there's a color TV set up.
For you DVD-ROM users, there is a script to screen
storyboard feature, web links and some web access features.
I'm disappointed that the menus aren't interactive, though.
An excellent film which I feel everyone should see,
"Pleasantville" is a fabulous disc. The transfer cleary
shows the artistic value of this film, and the audio and
features are really good. The price is also right. Highly
reccomended. Bravo again, New Line.
 (4/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (4.5/5)
(4.5/5)
 (3.5/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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