“Pleasantville” The division of America suggested by color techniques (Part 1)

What is a 50's sitcom?

``Pleasantville'' is modeled after sitcoms such as `` Dad Knows Everything '' (54-60). The story is set in a new residential area called Levittown that has been actively built in the American suburbs since 1949, and the characters are a father who knows everything, a mother who is a housewife, and obedient and healthy children. was the standard.

During World War II, many women worked in weapons factories in place of men who went off to war. After the war, in reaction to this, women returned to their homes and became full-time housewives. Veterans of war then set up their homes at Levitt House, and nuclear families rapidly progressed. Added to this was the Cold War and the Red Scare, and the United States became dominated by extreme conservative ideology. In other words, the social situation of the time was largely reflected in the background of these light-hearted sitcoms.

"Pleasantville" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

Synopsis ②

In that world, residents repeat the same daily routine. A firefighter's job is simply to climb a tree and rescue a cat that can't get down (the concept of a fire doesn't exist because there's no fire). Bud and Mary Sue's high school teaches that there is no world outside of town (that is, everything is inside the open set of the drama). The books in the library only had covers, and everything inside was blank.

Bud believes that he cannot return to his original world unless he maintains the order in the drama, and gets into an argument with the rebellious Mary Sue. But she can't resist, so she teaches her classmates some slang and asks the naive basketball team captain, Skip (Paul Walker), on a date. Bud is late at the soda shop where he works part-time, but he inadvertently gives advice to Bill (Jeff Daniels), the owner and in charge of the kitchen, on how to streamline work procedures.

Furthermore, when Bud sees Mary Sue and Skip heading out on a date, he throws his work away in a panic and storms out of the store. Bill completely throws Bud out of rhythm by taking over his duties. Bill comes all the way to Bud's house to report the news, but there he falls in love with his mother, Betty (Joanne Allen) at first sight.

Meanwhile, Mary Sue and Skip are having a wholesome date at the "lover's waterfront." However, Mary Sue is frustrated by this situation and ends up having sex with her in the car. However, in this world, the concept of sex itself did not exist. Shocked, Skip spots a "red rose" on his way home. Skip told his friends about his experience, and the influence quickly spread.

Eventually, the bubblegum turns pink, and so does the girl's tongue. Furthermore, those who have awakened to sexuality have turned to color one after another, and the area around the ``lovers' waterfront'' is now overflowing with color. In addition, it's not just the colors that change; Bill begins to worry about the monotony of his work, and a furniture store sells a double bed that no one has ever seen before.

The relationship between movies and colors