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Pleasantville (1998) - Full Reaction (Patreon)

Published:
2024-05-20 07:48:49
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2026-06
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Ok this was fun and funny and a cool idea turned thought provoking and sweet. It was so unique to look at and made you appreciate beautiful color. I thought every actor was so perfect for their roles in it. Cant wait to see your insightful comments on this one!

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[Full Reaction] Pleasantville (1998)

Comments

ShazD

Beautiful looking movie.

Powers209

This is the year for 'Kelly' Heroes!' Perfect movie for this weekend. WWII bank heist movie. The cast alone is worth the watch.

Gábor Árki

I always enjoyed this one, such a beautiful looking movie and I think it is considered a cinematic milestone. I've seen it around 2000 for the first time and the visuals were mind-blowing at the time. They used several techniques to manipulate the color for achieving color and b&w within the same shots. One of them was a groundbreaking technique which involved digitally scanning the film and altering the color timing on a computer. A few years later "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" took this technology further by applying digital color grading to the entire film to achieve a distinctive sepia-toned look, which was a pioneering move that set a new precedent for the industry. After this, the industry quickly shifted from the traditional photochemical methods to a digital approach, and it became an industry standard within a few years.

Greggory Shaw

Thank you, Cassie, love this movie and say hi and thx to Carly too!

Gábor Árki
>>138484398

I've been promoting that movie for 3 years now and recommending it under every Clint Edgewood movie! 😄

YodatheHobbit

It's funny I remember liking this movie, but I don't remember A THING about it other than "Where's my dinner?!" and the very basic components of the story.

Steve Arnold

I was so looking forward for you to watch it! Can’t wait to see your reaction to this unique movie.

Brent Petty

The mayor was the evil sergeant major in Good Morning, Vietnam. Great character actor JT Walsh.

Hail to the King

The movie trashes the old society of functional families, low crime, and high trust neighbourhoods in the 1950s - encouraging Gen X & Gen Z to not be angry about what was lost - now replaced with degeneracy, alienation, cynicism and anxiety

Bert Towle

Can't wait to see your reaction this evening during dinner.

Brian McGovern
>>138484223

I assume you mean the main mother? Uh uh. The mother was played by Joan Allen who played Pamela Landry in The Bourne movies. Caitlin was played by a different actress although they do have similar looks.

Clay F

I love this movie. Thank both of you for a great reaction. Agree, cool cinematography. Also, good music. "The pleasantness was actually not the best." Cassie, you nailed the prediction they may be more likely brother/sister instead of an item. An awesome nuanced performance by Jeff Daniels. Reese Witherspoon is a good actor, even at this young age. For her crazy good as an actor at an even younger age, see her as a lead role in "Freeway" (1996) with Kiefer Sutherland. When I watched "Freeway" not long after release (I watched on VHS), I had no idea who she was and was blown away.

David Fuchs

Tell me more. You said, "It makes you think." You said that "Pleasant" is not the best life. But Jimmy Stewart once made you say, "I want to get personal." Selfless is the best, and "I don't need a house, like my friends have."

JL_83

When this came out had a “yeah, so?” type of reaction…but upon finally seeing it was pulled in by the different themes, the great visuals, plus it has an excellent cast (Tobey, Reese, Joan, Jeff, Bill Macy) - and hats off to the late J.T. Walsh who was always so great at playing dirtbags, lol; there’s a scene in this movie that contains an unintentional reference to The Shawshank Redemption…anyone know which one it is? 😉

Mike Lemon

The movie is entertaining but I have some real problems with it. The whole message of "tear down 'Chesterton's fence' " with no regard for why it's there bothers me but the two heavy handed messages really annoy me. First, the "people who like tradition are NAZIs" is just stupid on its face, but there it is, the classic book burning scene every NAZI comparison has to have. At least they didn't go as far as having everybody that doesn't want sex and "immorality" in your face all the time leading millions of Jews and other "defectives" to camps. Second, and the one that some are so desperate to hang on to, the "everyone is racist" garbage. And not just racist, but oppressively racist. This was 1998, that decade a black guy was "America's dad", everybody wanted to "be like Mike", the second black guy took his place on The Supreme Court, and many of the TV shows were majority black. Nobody cared (statistically). Pretty much everybody was finally living King's Dream.

Steve Sanders

I love Pleasantville. I always wondered though, if everybody else in pleasantville was "real" then what happened to Bud and Mary Sue when Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon inhabit of their bodies? When Tobey Maguire went back home, did Bud go back into his body? Was he aware of all the changes that had been made since he left? When Reese Witherspoon decided to stay, where did Mary Sue's consciousness go? And how is Bud going to explain the disappearance of his sister in the real world? "No no guys it's fine, she's in a sitcom from the 1950s. It was her choice." At best they're going to have him committed.

Phillip Bates

I love this movie. I does get poignant and touches on a lot of deeper issues in a really fun and creative way. The casting was great and all of the performances were really well done. The transition from b/w to colour was spectacular and done very well. And I loved that for each character it was something different that changed them into colour... like for the Mayor it was being unpleasant that changed him. It's a beautiful movie.

Jacob King

I love this movie and I’m glad you both liked it. The people stuck in black and white are stuck in black and white thinking which is why Baby Paul Walker doesn’t change. I think my favourite part is Jen staying in the other world because it’s saying that different people need different solutions. Some other great early Reece Witherspoon movies are Cruel Intentions, Freeway and, of course, Election. They are all a bit more intense than Pleasantville.

Gábor Árki

Fun fact, in 1998 you could have googled the answers for the marathon because they launched the same year.

David Fuchs

I clicked Reply, 50 min ago, to Phillip Bates. bc ArsTropica is right, that's the RIGHT SPACE to Reply. But I want everyone to know that Toby taught the Mayor that ANGER & SELFISH feelings are HUMAN. The Mayor learned the nuance. That's why I wrote, 2 hrs ago, abt Cassie's "Jimmy Stewart do-gooder."

David Fuchs
>>138495863

One of life's BIG QUESTIONS. When Cassie was so INSPIRED by Jimmy Stewart's movie, she didn't know the CONTROVERSY. Jimmy did some of Frank Capra's movies. The whole world debated abt those "Capraesque Sentimental, not Real" movies.

Dan M

This was my second most anticipated movie reaction from you, right behind Mr Holland’s Opus (still bummed that Carly couldn’t join you for that one). This movie is a great mix of humor, drama, and nostalgia…all ingeniously utilized to address a very important message. Changes in life are inevitable. Some are good, some are bad, some make no sense at all initially, but prove to be for the better. And how a person adapts to the changes they’re faced with makes all the difference in the world on the affects those changes ultimately have. Another amazing cast with Reese Witherspoon, Tobey McGuire, Joan Allen (nominated for several awards for her role as Betty), William H Macy (love this guy). And anyone who thought Jeff Daniels couldn’t pull off a dramatic role after Dumb and Dumber was just…well, dumb and dumber. Can’t wait to watch along with you and Carly. This will be a great way to kick off another work week.

Terry Yelmene

Brilliant Movie!!! This movie is the perfect messaging to prove that the Patriarchy and conservatism that Christian Nationalism is rooted in and falsely remembered by, is far too 'Pleasant' to have ever been 'Real'. All it takes too learn this... one truly 'good' progressive day. So glad you ladies liked it!

Zachary K. (Swiftie)

This came out just a few months after my graduation from HS. It was actually considered a flop even though it had postive reviews. This movie was true to form.. It was a feel good movie a movie that you can never really get sick of no matter how many times you watch it. It left you feeling good. I am glad you both liked it. It was so great to see Carly back.

Dan M
>>138492506

It is kind of left up in the air what the long term effects to Bud and Mary Sue would be. I guess that’s up to the viewer to decide. That would be interesting to explore in a sequel. After 26 years it doesn’t seem likely, but you never know.

Uncle Phoenix

The strangest thing happened this last Saturday. So I was at my favorite breakfast “choke and puke” and there was this woman there who was the spitting image of Cassie. I was instantly happy, until I saw how rude this young lady was. I was absolutely horrified by her behavior. It was so jarring, because she looked so much like Cassie. I think it gave me trust issues; now I keep thinking that maybe Cassie secretly hates dogs, kids, and old people. So now, I need to watch this and try and recover from that evil person. (Obviously, I’m certain that there are more evil people who look like me, but it still made me sad to see a Cassie doppelgänger act so absolutely horrible.)

Mike Lemon
>>138499558

The thing you are railing against is a straw man. That said, from the FAQ- Patreon Rules: Most of these go without saying, but: 3. No religious or political discussion. This is not a place to discuss politics or religion. This is a place to discuss movies and shows that you love (or don't love).

WastedPo

The thing I will always remember about this movie is that its first trailer basically told the entire story of the movie in chronological order. (It was the trailer that used the music for "The Incredible Journey.") I know trailers are often criticized for spoiling the movie, but I'd never seen a more blatant example. As an aside, I also find it funny that Tobey Maguire is practically playing Peter Parker, a few years before he got to play him officially. ... Carly was also correct in her initial guess that this would be like WandaVision, in that WandaVision was clearly inspired by Pleasantville (and the Truman Show as well).

Kevin Townsend

The TV repairman was played by Don Knotts. He was Deputy Barney Fife in the 60s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show.

Mojo One Thousand
>>138486162

He was also "Markinson", the whistleblower in "A Few Good Men" (another existing reaction). "Pleasentville" is his marked as his second last credit on IMDB, and the film has a dedication to him at the end of the credits. I thought it had to be close to the time of his passing as I watching, so I checked it out.

Mojo One Thousand
>>138497757

I don't think any thought Jeff Daniels couldn't do dramatic. He was already pretty well established as dramatic actor, both screen and stage, prior to "Dumb and Dumber". There were many (particular the studio) that didn't think he had the comedy "chops" for "Dumb and Dumber" and it was Jim Carrey that pushed very hard for him to play "Harry", which I respect and appreciate Jim Carrey for helping us get the character of "Harry Dunne" in the form we know.

Paul M

Great reaction! You may have recognized Marley Shelton as Wendy Peffercorn if you have seen the Sandlot. And if you haven’t seen it, please check it out! She was also in a cheerleader comedy called Sugar & Spice with James Marsden

Mojo One Thousand
>>138501101

"Terminator 2: Judgment Day" probably had the most egregious trailer spoiling the movie, I don't think James Cameron was happy with that one. Fortunately these days that isn't a problem with anyone new to the film, particularly reactors, so it works better than back in the day. I also thought "Free Guy" borrowed from this as well and re-framed in a different form of media.

Mojo One Thousand
>>138503280

Everytime I think of Don Knotts, it isn't about him directly, it is a small scene in "The Simpsons" where they have clip of "The Andy Griffith Show", but Andy Griffith is absent and replaced by Charles Bronson. So "Barney Fife" is interacting with Charles Bronson's character from the "Death Wish" movies... which is basically if "John Wick" was the sheriff in "Pleasantville"

Mojo One Thousand

Hadn't actually seen this, it has been on my list for a long time, just never got to it. One of the things of being involved with PIB is it helps me, from time to time, knock of some movies of my list as well. I vaguely remember what the story was about, and that it mucked around with colouring in a creative way. But have to say, Joan Allen looking for the man in the boat... was unexpected.

Peggy G
>>138493825

I think you're forgetting how slow and barren the internet was back then 😉

pinkdino99

One of my all time faves. Loved this when it first came out on VHS then forgot about it until very recently. "Where's my dinner ?!?!"

Zane From Canada

I first saw this movie too young. A lot of the messages went right over my head. To me, the movie posed a question "What would happen if a Leave It To Beaver or The Donna Reed Show style sitcom changed into color?" Revisiting it now I understand it a whole lot more. 😁 Also, Cassie, it's great that your getting your garden ready! It's backbreaking work, but it's worth it. We just planted all of our lillie bulbs. It's going to be swell when it blooms! 😁 I, also, got a sunburn but not from gardening. I was on first date. 🤭 We were walking by the lake and the sun was shining. 🌞

Chris Clarke

Is there another mail opening live coming soon?😊

Stick Figure Studios

I always had mixed feelings about this movie myself. While I found the premise clever, the visuals beautiful and the cast solid, I always thought it got a little preachy, inconsistent about its own in-universe rules and muddled a bit in its messaging (cleverly using racist/segregational imagery, for example, but confusing/conflating the worth of a person with the worth of their ideas/actions). Not a terrible movie by any means, but one that wasn't worth nearly the amount of adulation it received. Glad you both enjoyed it though. Looking forward to your next reaction to a movie about real people entering an imaginary "screen world" (i.e. LAST ACTION HERO). :-)

Clay F
>>138518046

"Where's my dinner?!" If anything, I always thought of the movie as about overcoming "preachy".

Odd Thomas

Remember when Reese Witherspoon made interesting movies like this and not soul-destroyingly empty rom-coms?

Alex Gorell

I grew up in a town called Pleasantville so this movie has always been kinda special to me.

Yaisu

Glad you enjoyed this one. I always loved this movie. Yes, it was a metaphor for racism, segregation, patriarchy and more.

Odd Thomas

Another good Tobey Maguire movie is Wonder Boys, with Michael Douglas

Steve Mercier

Haven't seen this movie in a while...where my crush on Reese Witherspoon began (this, or was it 'Election'? I don't know). Love this movie. Fantastic cast. A little cheesy, but you know, on purpose. And good cheesy.

Johnny Bullis

YIPPEEE!! Cassie is finally watching this one.. I love this movie.. I remember seeing it in the theater.. such deep meanings in this one. Finding ones "true colors". Love it. And this is the role that made me realize that Tobey Maguire would be a great Peter Parker.. if you go watch the 1st Spiderman with him in it, theres a very similar scene where hes talking to a girl who is far away and hes having the conversation that he wishes he were having. Go check it out. And if you like this.. check out Stay Tuned with John Ritter.. kind of the same type of movie..

Chris Thom

Yeah there's definitely subliminal messaging going on in this one. Can't deny that. But it's actually more spiritual and less political than one might expect. Everyone had their version of turning to color, and it was about personal growth, challenge, and acceptance.

Chris Thom
>>138536931

I was 7 when Man in the Moon came out, but she was super cute in that one too.

Chris Thom
>>138484922

I always remember the To Kill a Mockinbird-esque courtroom scene, and Etta James.

Doc Larry

Very creative Movie the cast was excellent. Tobey Maguire was great as a jockey and as Spider-Man he is an underrated actor.

Henry Graham

I love this cast - especially Joan Allen - and it's almost impossible not to be beguiled by the visual cleverness, but I do feel Ross paints himself into a bit of a corner with his clunky social commentary. The more colour seeps into this world and the more obvious the metaphors become, the stodgier I find this film to be, and think the film's message gets pretty muddled by the end. I can't fault its ambition and technical execution, though. judging by his later endeavours, it seems Gary Ross used up all of his artistry and imagination on this debut feature. I wonder, have you ladies seen Election? It was made one year after this and it was Reese Witherspoon's real breakthrough lead performance. A terrifically sharp and funny satire, and maybe a good one to watch in this election year!

David Fuchs

HOMEWORK: Watch Bud confront the Mayor, "What do you want to do to me right now?" I read all the Patrons here, "Colors when you change." No no!! Bud SPECIFIED. He said, "Dangerous." He dared him NOT TO LOSE HIS TEMPER. PIB Patrons, listen to Bud, "It's inside you." Freud showed us that selfish Potter (Wonderful Life) is inside selfless Cassie. Patrons keep writing abt "Navigating the changes in life." No, listen to Bud.

Carol_White

Hey look, it's Jonathan from BVS. Also, this movie is trite and incoherent.

Lamar Smith

When I lived in LA I went to the mall one time in, I think, Universal City and rode on an elevator in the parking garage with Don Knotts and, I’m guessing, his granddaughter. Never forget it.

Brian Wood

I've always enjoyed this movie. It has been awhile since I've seen it, so it was almost a, as you would say pleasant to watch this gem again with you and Carley. Another great Tobey Maguire movie, that I and that you might enjoy, is called Ride With The Devil 1999. It is a civil war action/western/drama/romance, that stars him, and the singer Jewel as well. Thanks again Cassie.

David Fuchs
>>138557368

Ppl mention his classic , The Andy Griffith Show. Surprise! It was a Pleasantville comedy, like Leave it to Beaver. Cassie did "Airplane," where Beaver's Mom changed colors when she talked jive.

E. D.

Hey Cassie, you loved Rocky very much, please consider putting Over the Top (1987) on a poll, it‘s also with Sly and heart warming as well and watch it with your sis

Lamar Smith

Dearest Cassie, could you agree this movie was MUCH deeper than you thought it might be?

E. D.
>>138543072

Joan Allen is kinda uniquely great in this just like Toni Collette in The Hours

Paul Ark

If you enjoyed Joan Allen's performance, I recommend you watch "The Contender", where she plays a U.S. senator that is being considered to fill a vacant Vice President position. She is phenomenal in that role, as was Jeff Bridges as the President, Sam Elliot as chief of staff, and Gary Oldman as a political adversary. Just the sort of political drama and intrigue you seem to enjoy watching.

Dan M

Okay, I just finished watching along with you and Carly, and I enjoyed it so much more than I usually do. And I think it was because it was fun to see how you both started to put together what was actually happening. And you were so close to understanding why. You both stated several times that the people of Pleasantville needed to learn something new in order for the changes to take affect. And while that was true in some respect, it involved two major points: 1. finding something new and different within yourself, expressing it outwardly, and accepting the change, and 2. realizing that life as you know it can change at anytime, and you can either accept those changes, adapt to them and grow, or resist the changes and become stagnant. Two heavy messages wrapped in a fantastic movie and sprinkled with humor, drama, romance, nostalgia, great music, and great acting. Love this movie, and loved your reactions.

Ben Livingstone

"The Andy Griffith Show" meets "Fahrenheit 451", by way of Simon and Garfunkel's "My Little Town", with a stopover on Maple Street in "The Twilight Zone"!

Odd Thomas

For more Joan Allen I recommend Face/Off!

David Fuchs

RESULTS: Cassie said she "liked" the film, lukewarm. Patrons did not have the roiling conversation abt it, the way they had abt "remake" of juvenile movies Cassie calls it "our inner child." Yes, big discussion (too detailed) on Politics. Cassie is right abt banning that, but a Patron was right abt "political film." Director Gary Ross said it too. PIB has political Lincoln, Viet Nam films, etc.

YodatheHobbit

I remember thinking back when I first saw it in the 8th grade(1998), before Tobey was Spider-Man, thinking the message of the movie was pretty plainly and obviously about freedom, and more precisely freedom of expression. Through art Through sex Through love of someone other than who you're suppose to love Through love of someone of an "other" color Through emotion Through hate Through anger They may not have been able to Google Pleasantville trivia back in the real world, but it's possible they could've found a fan site on Yahoo, Lycos, or AOL.

Larry Darrell

It would be really interesting to see Cassie & Carly watch… Freeway (1996) That’s the one I recommend when I meet people that only think of Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde or other RomComs. Also, anyone notice Who Reese’s two friends were when we first met her? Marissa Ribisi (Giovanni Ribisi’s sister), maybe best known for The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and Dazed and Confused (1993) & Jenny Lewis, from… Troop Beverly Hills (1989) The Wizard (1989) Big Girls Don’t Cry… They Get Even (1991) Jenny Lewis also has become quite the Musical Star these days. First with her band Rilo Kiley and now solo. I grew up with her in films, and was blown away when I found out she could sing. I love her voice. -“Rise Up (With Fists)”- https://youtu.be/JRpScJzx41U?si=ErgReNFmO3linX4D -“Acid Tongue”- https://youtu.be/2Qu11pBpRXw?si=VVouZ4eZuH9ef7_P -“She’s Not Me”- https://youtu.be/WgUAvzP-qmQ?si=QarqKmW6RWSRMED_ -“Just One of the Guys”- https://youtu.be/Irvcf6dCk-k?si=kv1DUqE2d6UWUsrM -“Red Bull & Hennessy”- https://youtu.be/I9PjniODmbU?si=qs97xwo4rm719hzb -“Psychos”- https://youtu.be/vlNVtA6Lgu4?si=t1pSYqhYqkq1iryf -“Puppy and a Truck”- https://youtu.be/BXAVONS1ZOQ?si=5NBWtBLhJXwpaP1d

Clay F
>>139067349

I agree with you recommending "Freeway" (1996). As I commented earler, Reese Witherspoon did crazy good acting (at a realtively young age) in her lead role in "Freeway" (1996) with Kiefer Sutherland. When I watched "Freeway" (1996) not long after release (I watched on VHS), I had no idea who she was and was blown away.

Diiirk706

Still no DL link 4 dis lawlZ