Common Sense Media Review
Thought-provoking look at past and present teen life.
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Pleasantville
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a blend of humor and serious themes, exploring societal issues such as racism and the complexities of sexuality within a nostalgic 1950s sitcom setting. While many viewers appreciate its thought-provoking messages and creative cinematography, some express concern about inappropriate content, suggesting it may be best watched with parental guidance.
- thought-provoking themes
- societal issues
- inappropriate content
- humor and satire
- parental guidance suggested
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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 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?
Parents and teens alike will find many things to think and talk about after watching this engaging movie. Pleasantville draws parallels to Nazi Germany (book burning) and American Jim Crow laws ("No colored" signs), and the challenges of independent thinking. 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.
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how sex is portrayed in the movie. Is it exploitative or educational? Even though much of the sexual activity is implied, what messages does it send about sexual situations, especially among teenagers?
Parents: What are some of the ways you can talk to your kids about some of the issues presented here?
Would you prefer to live in the 1950s, or in modern times? Which does the movie seem to prefer?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 23, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : June 1, 2004
- Cast : Reese Witherspoon , Tobey Maguire , William H. Macy
- Director : Gary Ross
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : New Line
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some thematic elements emphasizing sexuality, and for language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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