Analysis of Pleasantville

Analysis of Pleasantville...

Pleasantville by Gary Ross is a 1998 comedy film about a brother and sister who end up in the classic 50s American TV show, Pleasantville, and how their views on society clash. The introduction very cleverly sets the tone and theme of the film. We instantly know that the film is going to be set around television from the first short clips of various TV channels. This use of quick channel changes also gives the viewer the sense that whoever is watching the TV is bored. Following this, the film grabs the viewers attention by finally staying on a channel which is advertising a 24 hour Pleasantville marathon, emphasising its importance to the plot.

The idea of the film being a fairy tale is then created with the title screen of 'Once Upon a Time' in a typical calligraphic font. Futher cliche's are used to set the scene of a typical American high school; the yellow school buses being the most obvious.

We are then introduced to our main character, who is clearly represented as a school nerd through many stereotypes; a mix of untidy hair, smart clothes and awkward social interaction. His awkwardness is emphasised by the use of a short depth of focus, putting the audience's attention solely on his face. The director then cleverly sets up his first trick by using shot reverse shot between the awkward guy and the popular, good looking girl in order the make it seem like the two are actually talking. This is then heavily contrasted when the camera changes, and we see an over the shoulder shot with a very deep depth of field in order to hit home to the audience, the distance between the boy and girl, and the boy's total isolation. The isolation is then further emphasised by the wide shot which makes the boy look small compared to the lamp post.