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Pleasantville

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Videos & Photos

  • Trailer

Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Gary Ross

Producer:

Gary Ross, Michael De Luca, Mary Parent

Release Date:

Oct 23, 1998

Runtime:

2hr 4m

Synopsis

Two 1990s teenage siblings find themselves transported to a 1950s sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that colorless, complacent world.

Cast

  • Tobey Maguire
  • Jeff Daniels
  • Joan Allen
  • William H. Macy
  • J.T. Walsh
  • Reese Witherspoon
  • Don Knotts
  • Paul Walker
  • Marley Shelton
  • Jane Kaczmarek

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.7
264.2K
42.9K
60.5K
RATINGS 1.4K FANS
3.7
  • May 5, 2016

    my favorite part was when the mom masturbated in the bathtub and came so hard that the tree in her front yard literally burst into flames

    5.2K Likes
    emilia
    emilia
    Jan 23, 2021

    absolutely in the bathtub masturbation hall of fame

    2.3K Likes
    David Sims
    David Sims
    Aug 7, 2021

    Proof that having a fiona apple song in a film instantly makes it better

    1.9K Likes
    •lily•
    •lily•
  •
    Jul 14, 2020

    A movie where people are in black and white until they orgasm and/or read a book.

    1.8K Likes
    Ave
    Ave
    May 15, 2013

    This movie is genius beyond words. I wish more people cared about it. It's funny, but it also deals with important themes such as racism and the great social movement of the 60s, but presented through the change television made during that time. The script is impeccable and…

    1.3K Likes
    Richard Iliff
    Richard Iliff
    Jul 6, 2018

    i can’t believe tobey maguire singlehandedly invented colour tv. crazy the history I’ve been missing out on

    1.2K Likes
    issy 🥝
    issy 🥝
  •
    Jun 25, 2022

    being horny can change the world ❤️

    1.1K Likes
    steph mccann
    steph mccann
    May 2, 2021

    Only watched for fiona's iconic cover of across the universe

    837 Likes
    Deem
    Deem
    May 20, 2022

    longest fiona apple music video ever

    841 Likes
    megan
    megan
See All Reviews on Letterboxd.com

Queue Community Reviews

90%
Community 4,291
❤️ LOVE
27%
👍 LIKE
63%
😐 MEH
8%
👎 DISLIKE
1%
Top Reviews
  • Adam R
    Adam R loved
    Pleasantville

    Wait this isn’t Wandavision

    😂 3 8M
    Pablo
    Pablo liked
    Pleasantville

    A feel good movie that tackles some deep issues in a subtle manner. Reese and Tobey have such a great brother-sister chemistry and the supporting characters bring so much heart and soul to this great movie.

    1 🔥 1 4Y
    Jikitiz
    Jikitiz liked
    Pleasantville

    Formal movie, foo got cookies again. It's lit on Elmwood

    😂 2 4M
  • Will Cannon
    Will Cannon loved
    Pleasantville

    This is one of my very favorite movies ever. The cinematography, special effects and soundtrack are all amazing. I can watch this movie over and over and just wish that I lived in their world. This is a movie that you won’t regret watching, even if it’s only once.

    🔥 1 2Y
    Jacob Hall
    Jacob Hall loved
    Pleasantville

    plot moved a little slow, but the visuals were great. it was also surprisingly funny which yes i know its a comedy, but reese witherspoon has never made me laugh in a movie until today

    🔥 1 3Y
    Rachel
    Rachel loved
    Pleasantville

    Obsessed with the metaphors in this movie. Everyone needs to watch this especially if you’re like me and grew up in a conservative, religious area

    🔥 1 3Y
  • Trey
    Trey liked
    Pleasantville

    Good movie

    1 2Y
    Lexo
    Lexo loved
    Pleasantville

    ⭐️9.5/10⭐️ this movie is so cute & aesthetically-pleasing. it really makes you appreciate the little things life has to offer. also sheds light on real issues. the casting is great. I start sobbing every time Fiona Apple’s “Across the Universe” starts playing at the end 😭🌈🎨📺

    2Y
    Nyra Brown
    Nyra Brown loved
    Pleasantville

    this movie is simply unbelievable. it’s listed as a comedy, so going in i expected it to be just that. however, while it did have it’s funny moments, there was so much more nuanced elements. it has multiple layers of meaning and needs careful consideration to fully understand.

    2Y
View More Popular Pleasantville Reviews on Queue

Atom Users Reviews

No one has posted a user review yet.

Metacritic

71
metacritic
Based on 32 Critics
8.6

USER SCORE (266)

Universal acclaim based on 266 Reviews
80

Offers effortless charm, wit, and originality in spades.

View full review
Metacritic review by Kevin Maynard
Kevin Maynard
Mr. Showbiz
70

Lacks the edge and depth of a truly inspired work.

View full review
Metacritic review by Rita Kempley
Rita Kempley
Washington Post
50

The movie's simplistic storyline does not match its stunning visual accomplishments: Pleasantville's story is drawn from a palette that's strictly limited to black-and-white.

View full review
Metacritic review by Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
See All Critic Reviews on Metacritic.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pleasantville (1998) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as PG-13, meaning that some material may be considered inappropriate for children under 13.
How long is Pleasantville (1998)?
The movie is 2hr 4min long.
What's Pleasantville (1998) about?
Two 1990s teenage siblings find themselves transported to a 1950s sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that colorless, complacent world.
Who's the cast of Pleasantville (1998)?
  • Tobey Maguire as David Wagner
  • Jeff Daniels as Mr. Bill Johnson
  • Joan Allen as Betty Parker
  • William H. Macy as George Parker
  • J.T. Walsh as Big Bob
  • Reese Witherspoon as Jennifer Wagner
  • Don Knotts as TV Repairman
  • Paul Walker as Skip Martin
  • Marley Shelton as Margaret Henderson
  • Jane Kaczmarek as David and Jennifer's Mom
Who's the director behind Pleasantville (1998)?
Gary Ross directed Pleasantville (1998).
Who produced Pleasantville (1998)?
Gary Ross, Michael De Luca and Mary Parent produced Pleasantville (1998).