Although I had heard many good things about Pleasantville before I saw it, I wasn’t expecting such a clever film. Using the backdrop of a 50’s television sitcom, the filmmakers have created a morality tale about the dangers but everlasting benefits of free thought. The are superb performances from Willam H. Macy, Joan Allen and Tobey Maguire. Jeff Daniels pulls the performance of his lifetime.
Although the writing and performances of Pleasantville were superb, the real standout aspect of the movie was the fantastic cinematography. Never before have we seen such fascinating use of black and white mixed with color. The entire film was shot in a sharp focus appropriate for its 1950’s sitcom universe. Also, many inventive shots pleased the filmmaker in me, including the tracking of a bowling ball through the gutter of a bowling alley.