Pleasantville (1998)

Pleasantville, I believe, is one of the most valuable films of the 98-99 generation (the ‘conventional’ criticism series of modernism, American dream within America, Hollywood from the Hollywood etc).

Something really valuable to be able to use black & white and color at the same time in a good harmony, not only technical skill, but also by means of supporting the matter of the movie.

One of the elements that make the film worthwhile is that all the references mentioned really strengthen films content and message.

With all the references given, cinema is associated with politics, history, art (especially Cezanne, the father of modern art, who “destroyed” the classical art), literature (especially Moby Dick); and the most valuable of all, the movie connecting with the cinema itself.

In fact it’s the Will Hays reference that I find most valuable, again, among all other references. What is dictated as Code of Conduct is almost the application of Hays’ laws to life rather than the cinema this time. Another is the reference ending of ‘silent cinema’ in Singing in the Rain; this time it’s not the sound but the color being welcomed in cinema, but also to life. And all the transition period is displayed with all its bittersweet memories and of course the difficulties.

Finally, I really liked the Blue Velvet connection through many references and the Dogville reference through the ‘outsider’ narrative.

In short, Pleasantville is a worthwhile film that should not just be passed as an ordinary Hollywood critique.

Nil Birinci