This was a great political satire showing how people treat each other unfairly. If you like mild love, political, or old television you will think think it's pretty nifty.
Pleasantville
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Great movie for high schoolers and their parents.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Pleasantville was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie contains fairly explicit references to masturbation (and a non-explicit depiction) and to teen and adulterous sex.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the movie's parallels to Nazi Germany (book burning) and American Jim Crow laws ("No colored" signs), and the challenges of independent thinking.
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More on Pleasantville
What’s the Story?
David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) are well aware of the messy complications of the modern world. David retreats into reruns of "Pleasantville," an an idyllic black and white 1950s television show. And Jennifer is something of a self-described "slut." When they get ahold of a magic remote control, David and Jennifer are changed into Pleasantville's Bud and Mary Sue. The twins can't help reveal Pleasantville's limits, and begin to transform it. Mary Sue mischievously introduces the idea of sex to classmates, and then, more sensitively, to her Pleasantville mother (Joan Allen). Bud tells them about a world where people can go against status quo. As the characters begin to change, they and their surroundings bloom into color. But some residents of Pleasantville are threatened and terrified by the changes. "No colored" signs appear in store windows, new rules are imposed, and tensions mount.
Is It Any Good?
High schoolers may appreciate the way that the twins, at first retreating in different ways from the problems of the modern world, find that the rewards of the examined life make it ultimately worthwhile. Parents and teens alike will find many things to think and talk about after watching PLEASANTVILLE, including the movie's parallels to Nazi Germany (book burning) and American Jim Crow laws ("No colored" signs), and the challenges of independent thinking.
Also intriguing is the path of Jennifer's character. At first, she thinks that it is sex that turns the black and white characters into color. But when she stays "pasty," she realizes that the colors reveal something more subtle and meaningful -- the willingness to challenge the accepted and opening oneself up to honest reflection about one's own feelings and longings.
Movie Details
Studio: New Line Cinema, Director: Gary Ross
Run time: 124 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/1/1998
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Run time: 124 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/1/1998
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Our Members Say
See all 7 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Good Movie
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I rate this title pause for age 8 and give it
Very Different Movie
This movie address a lot of social issues via the back door. It uses parallels and symbolism to make a great point against many things including racism and parent child misunderstandings
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Not for younger than 13
This movie covers good issues - but a daughter teaching her mom to masturbate, then watching it as her husband listens, is a bit much for most kids not in high school!
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
Good Movie
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Good...
Pleasantville is a very good film with an original story, and some amazing visuals. Watching the black and white town slowly turn to color is absolutely enchanting! But parents, be warned--there is some strong sexual content for a PG-13, including one especially akward scene where a character masturbates.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Great Movie
This is one of my favorites. Mostly because of the creative way that the social issues of the 50s and 60s are presented. It's a great story full of laughs. There's only one scene where you might need to make a judgement call. The way the sex scenes are presented, it's bluntly obvious what's going on for those who are old enough to know and those who aren't it isn't. It's all set ups and kissing and such. There are some mentions of sex but nothing more than a sex-ed class. Most teenagers will be more than ok with this movie on their own. Even younger kids would be ok with this movie if you watch it with them. They're likley to have questions but mostly about the social situations and not any of the sex related scenes.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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