"Two 1990s adolescents, the reclusive David (Tobey Maguire) and his sexy sister Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) are magically transported to the alternate world of Pleasantville, a 1950s TV sitcom ... In this bland white picket-fenced town, nothing ever changes, and everything is in black-and-white. People stifle their emotions and sexual urges; there is no rain or fire; and the basketball team never loses. Jennifer stirs things up by sexually seducing the high school basketball star. David introduces Mr. Johnson, the soda shop owner, to modern art. Soon their mother and other members of the community come alive by expressing their inner spirit. The telling sign is a literal change to color from black-and-white. The catalyst could be sex, literature, art, or the expression of a caring and loving nature." (Gary Ross)

I watched Pleasantville again last night. A fabulous film - beautifully crafted and acted, with a particularly fine performance by Tobey Maguire. It manages to be both funny and poignant at the same time, and the satire is nicely understated, which makes it all the more effective. One critic said it was like a mixture of 'Back to the Future' and 'The Truman Show' but better than both. I agree. For a start neither of these films is anywhere near as visually stunning as Pleasantville. Every frame is a joy to behold. There's a David Lynch influence there too, which is, of course, a good thing.

Skip: I think I should go home now.
Jennifer: Why what's wrong?
Skip: I think I might be [looking down]... ill. Something's happening to me.
Jennifer: [looking with him] That's supposed to happen.
Skip: It is?
Jennifer: Yeah, trust me.