Opened: October 23, 1998

Directed by: Gary Ross

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, J. T. Walsh, Paul Walker, Marley Shelton, Giuseppe Andrews, Kevin Connors, Natalie Ramsey, Jenny Lewis, Marissa Ribisi, Denise Dowse, David Tom, Maggie Lawson, Andrea Taylor, Danny Strong, Jane Kaczmarek & Don Knotts

Starting as a comedic fantasy, Pleasantville will surprise you and it continues and the plot deepens with nods to racism and censorship.

David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) are siblings with opposite personalities. During a fight, they are transported into the 1950s sitcom Pleasantville where everything seems perfect. David and Jennifer open the town’s eyes to the world around them.

Maguire and Witherspoon bring strength to their roles, but Joan Allen (as their TV mom Betty) and Jeff Daniels (as soda shop owner Bill) have beautiful storylines that evoke emotions. A young Paul Walker brings laughs as Jennifer’s clueless TV boyfriend.

The themes mixed with the film’s coloring make for an interestingly layered film. As people start “sinning” and become “colored,” there’s an instant shift in points of view from the black and white people.

Final say: Pleasantly different. ★★★★☆