Cultural Differences in the Film Pleasantville
Cultural Differences in the Film, “Pleasantville”
“Pleasantville” was written and directed by Gary Ross in the year 1998. The story starts in the present day America. Two teenage siblings David and Jennifer, suddenly find themselves stuck in one of the old 1950’s sitcoms. They are the children of idealistic and perfect parents Mr. And Mrs. Parker. David known as bud in the town of Pleasantville was a keen watcher of this show. He was well aware of all the people and characters of this new place. Jennifer however, who was to meet her date was interested in watching MTv. For David this was a dream come true. He yearned for the opportunity to live in the perfect, unchangeable world of Pleasantville. The main theme or central idea of the movie is that it is not possible for one to go back to the 1950’s again. Things would have to change. The moral values, attitude of people and the whole society must change. This illustration is made by the subtle and very ingenious usage of color. The people of Pleasantville began to see colors only when they try and break their monotonous style of life, a life where every takes place as expected.
Bud and Mary sue quite rapidly bring out changes in this new place. Gary Ross uses these changes to indicate the cultural and social differences between the two eras. Of the many issues addressed in the movie one is the issue of male dominion. Mrs. Parker is depicted as a perfect 1950’s wife, who has the house cleaned and dinner always ready. Mary Sue upon being questioned tells her mother about the happenings in lover’s lane and what, sex is all about. When Mrs. Parker tries to relax in her bathtub, a tree outside her house bursts into flames. This is symbolic of the tree of knowledge. Mrs. Parker turns into color for she discovers the missing element in her life. As a perfect wife, she never did anything for herself. She had seen only one form of masculinity, the authoritative attitude of her husband. Ashamed of her color, walking past the road, she finds a soda shop with a colored window. She discovers that the painter was none other than Mr. Johnson. She sees in him the love for color. He at once appreciates her startling beauty in all brightness and color. She leaves...