Mind Control Made Easy or How to Become a Cult Leader

Pleasantville is a 1998 American teen fantasy comedy-drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross (in his directorial debut). It stars Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, J. T. Walsh, and Reese Witherspoon, with Don Knotts, Paul Walker, Marley Shelton, and Jane Kaczmarek in supporting roles. The story centers on twin siblings, David and Jennifer, who wind up trapped in a 1950s television show, set in a small Midwest town, where everything and everyone are seemingly perfect. The film was released by New Line Cinema on October 23, 1998, and was a box-office failure, earning a total of $49.8 million against a $60 million budget. Despite this, the film received generally positive reviews from critics, and it received three nominations at the 71st Academy Awards. It was one of J. T. Walsh's final performances and was dedicated to his memory. It was also the final on-screen film appearance of Don Knotts, who would subsequently take on voice acting roles until his death.