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Pleasantville

(1998, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring William H. Macy, Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Great movie for high schoolers and their parents.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 15 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Metaphorically
  • Violence:

    None
  • Sex:

    References to masturbation and teen-age sex
  • Language:

    Mild
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    None
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Pleasantville

Parents need to know that this movie contains fairly explicit references to masturbation (and a non-explicit depiction) and to teen and adulterous sex.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    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.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Good Movie

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    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!

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Good Movie

    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.

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0

    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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