Overview
A journey into a perfect world reveals the complexities of human desire and societal norms.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- subversive
- thoughtful movie night
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a visually dazzling, inventive fantasy comedy that combines lighthearted humor with timely social commentary, while noting some late storytelling shallowness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Characters and parts of Pleasantville shift from black and white into color as they experience desire, creativity, knowledge, and personal autonomy.
David and Jennifer enter the sitcom Pleasantville, where scripted routines and limited knowledge become objects of comic and political critique.
The supposedly perfect 1950s town contains sexual repression, racial prejudice, censorship, and hostility toward those who change.
Jennifer and the Pleasantville residents discover sexuality, curiosity, ambition, and artistic expression while resisting imposed social roles.
Films like Pleasantville, and why
The Truman Show
shared television-world premise, social satire, coming-of-age themes, and polished fantasy comedy
Edward Scissorhands
shared magical realism, suburban conformity critique, and transformation of an idealized American community
Back to the Future
shared alternate-reality comedy, nostalgia critique, and characters challenging restrictive social norms
The Stepford Wives
shared coming-of-age perspective, heightened visual design, and critique of repressive small-town values
Movie Details
- Director
- Gary Ross
- Release Date
- 1998-09-17
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1970)
Cast
- Tobey Maguire
- Reese Witherspoon
- William H. Macy
- Joan Allen
- Jeff Daniels
- J.T. Walsh
- Paul Walker
- Don Knotts
- Marley Shelton
- Jane Kaczmarek
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pleasantville about?
- Two modern siblings become trapped inside a pristine black-and-white sitcom and awaken its residents to desire, knowledge, and social change.
- What is Pleasantville like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pleasantville as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Pleasantville violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Pleasantville as mild.
- What did critics think of Pleasantville?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a visually dazzling, inventive fantasy comedy that combines lighthearted humor with timely social commentary, while noting some late storytelling shallowness.
- Which films are like Pleasantville?
- Films with a similar feel include The Truman Show, Edward Scissorhands, Back to the Future, and The Stepford Wives.
- How long is Pleasantville?
- Pleasantville runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pleasantville?
- In United States, Pleasantville is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
