Pleasantville is a tricky movie and can barely (if at all) be called science fiction.It has characters going into a TV universe, so it’s close enough for blogging. The movie starts off looking like it might be a wacky comedy about modern teens getting stuck in a 50s TV series, but it smartly moves out of that territory and gets into an interesting view on freedom and sexuality. The nods to classic movies are only the cherry on top for making Pleasantville a must-see movie.

Pleasantville is Gary Ross’ directorial debut after a string of well-received screenplays (including Big, Mr. Baseball and Dave) with a strong script that looks like it might be a screwball comedy and turns into so much more. David and Jennifer are twins who are nothing alike (Jennifer was from the cool side of the womb) and when they get transported into the TV show Pleasantville. Pleasantville is a fictional version of Leave It To Beaver or Father Knows Best ), a 50s sitcom about life in a small town where everyone is happy.

David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) find themselves in black & white and in a episode of the show. David uses his knowledge of the show to try and keep Jennifer on the correct story arc, but when she gets bored things start to change. Jennifer seduces the basketball captain and on his way home, he sees a flash of color. As Jennifer starts bringing her 90s sensibilities into the 50s, David is dragged into it as well. Color starts showing up everywhere and the small 50s town is pushed out of Father Knows Best and into something new.

Where the script starts getting interesting is when it starts showing the effect of the color on the townspeople. The town ends up divided by people welcoming the color and the people who want to keep everyone in black & white. David and Jennifer’s parents (played by Joan Allen and William H Macy) get dragged into the middle of the town’s battle with J.T. Walsh as the lead of the black & white side and Jeff Daniels getting dragged into the colors side.

The music of the movie also helps out a lot. As the characters progress, we start hearing more Rock & Roll (with Buddy Holly among others) and even Take Five from Dave Brubeck making an appearance. It is a little detail that helps complement the changes in color and clothing.

Pleasantville takes about 30 minutes of wandering around the present and settling into the past before it gets going. But once it starts, it’s a wonderful ride that will make you think, while it entertains you.