Media and "Pleasantville" - A Study by Will Manning

 

 

This site is a study of Pleasantville, a 1998 American-made film.  The movie’s plot is especially relevant to course topics, because it centers on a brother and a sister from the 1990s who find themselves trapped in a 1950s sitcom.  Suddenly, many aspects of the society begin to change.  Pleasantville raises an endless amount of questions about media and its role in human life.  This project will explore many different topics regarding the film, including the motives behind its creation, the connection between modern society and the society portrayed in the film, and the overall philosophy and meaning behind Pleasantville.

In an interview about the film, director Gary Ross states, “This movie is about the fact that personal repression gives rise to larger political oppression.  That when we're afraid of certain things in ourselves or we're afraid of change, we project those fears on to other things, and a lot of very ugly social situations can develop.”
(http://www.imdb.com/reviews/149/14904.html)

The film acts as a caveat to members of society, reminding viewers of the dangers that accompany the repression of one’s true beliefs.  Gary Ross creates the setting of a society that is undergoing rapid change.  Through this setting, viewers are able to observe the interactions of the different characters and their different personalities.  From an anthropological standpoint, it is interesting to study the different ways in which people react to various types of societal change.  This project will address the types of change that occur, as well as the reactions of those in the changing society.