Pleasantville

1998 PG-13 2h 4m DVD

Pleasantville

1998 PG-13 2h 4m DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
David and his sister, Jennifer, get sucked into the black-and-white world of a 1950s TV sitcom called "Pleasantville." But when Jennifer's modern attitude disrupts Pleasantville's boring routine, she literally brings color into its life.
Cast
Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Giuseppe Andrews, Jenny Lewis, Marissa Ribisi, Jane Kaczmarek, Denise Dowse, Don Knotts, Robin Bissell, Harry Singleton, Paul Walker, Dawn Cody, Maggie Lawson
Director
Gary Ross
Format
DVD
Screen
Widescreen 1.85:1
Subtitles
English
CC
Yes
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Rating
PG-13 - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.
age 15+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 15+
age 15+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Pleasantville contains lots of messages about living life to the fullest, the need for passion, and the courage to accept change. Sexual situations are frequent (including some loud moaning and paintings of nude figures), but a fair share of the references will go over young kids' heads. The term "Jesus Christ" is audible; words like "hell," "bitch," "s--t," and "f--k" are used a few times, too. Intolerant behavior leads to some riotous behavior (and a bloody lip). Teen smoking is briefly visible. All this being said, the main teen characters are strong and become positive role models.

Sexual Content

Mostly we see flirting, kissing, and couples making out in cars, with perhaps some feet sticking out of a car window. (These teens are just becoming aware of sex.) A mom character masturbates in a bathtub and moans loudly. She is married, but begins an affair with another man; he paints her nude and displays the painting in his shop window. A character uses the word "slut" to describe herself. Overall, the movie manages to imply sex-on-the-brain without resorting to talk, such as showing the image of a double-bed in a store window, complete with a concerned crowd of onlookers outside.

Violence

Intolerance leads to some angry, riotous behavior, including the smashing of windows, looting, and a fist fight. A bloody lip is visible.

Language

Language is somewhat strong, but isn't frequent. "F--k" is used once, and "s--t" can be heard a few times. The term "Jesus Christ" is frequently used. Words like "hell," "bitch," "goddamn," and "s--t" are occasionally audible.

Social Behavior

The series underscores the need for living life to the fullest, the beauty that comes with making individual choices, and about the importance of recognizing both the idyllic and the ugly in order to do so. Tolerance of change and of difference, marriage, and divorce are also themes.

Consumerism

Logos like Buick and Cadillac visible on cars.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

A teenager is shown smoking; a reference is made to "dying for a cigarette."

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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