Color And Social Change In Pleasantville, Directed By Gary Ross

Picture a world the only emotions and actions you are allowed to convey are pleasantness. A world where being pleasant triumphs over civil rights, gender roles, artistic expression, and social change. Pleasantville is a 1998 American comedy-fantasy film that explores a simplified and traditional time that fears evolution. Directed by Gary Ross, the movie depicts two teenage siblings, David and Jennifer, who are magically transported into a black-and-white 1950s sitcom called Pleasantville. While in Pleasantville, their actions dismantle the social system and in turn introduce the town to a life of color and modernity. The film itself not only seeks to depict a variety of sentiments held during the 1950s, but also demonstrates the influence

This was first demonstrated as more and more color was introduced in the diner due to the ongoing changes as a result of Jenifers and other teenagers within the town. As more and more change occurred, the diner became filled with life and color to represent so. Bill’s conversion from the cook at the diner to an artist marked the second transition of the diner and innovation. Bill’s original mural of Betty represented his love for her, sexual liberation, and freedom from old ideas. In return, this prompted individuals in black and white to destroy the dinner and the books within Pleasantville. Both the destruction of the diner and the books sought to represent resistance to change and innovation in Pleasantville. This was further by the introduction of the “Code of Conduct”, which essentially took away all the freedoms of individuality and access to knowledge from members within the town. Adversely, Bill and David’s final mural represented the transition of old ideas and Pleasantville traditions in the face of the new set path of the town. This was not only depicted through the use of color, but also by including visuals like the burning books, Lovers Lane, dancing, the fire truck, and even Bill and