Pleasantville: Original Motion Picture Score

Oscar is a fickle little nude statue, one who historically seems to have had it in for talents like Ennio Morricone and Randy Newman. Perhaps because his uncle Alfred had a mantel full of the li'l gold fellas, Randy may yet have to stand on his head and spit nickels to win an Academy Award. Newman's work on Pleasantville begs to be honored for less theatrical reasons: doing what the greatest film scores do, fleshing out character and plot almost subliminally. Sure, Newman gets to lovingly (re-)create the bubbly, smotheringly sentimental theme song of the prototypical '50s-family-TV-comedy-that-never-was (one that serves as the nexus for the film's social and cultural metaphors), but it's the composer's gentle, emotional touches (recalling some of the more plaintive moments of Copland and Bernstein) that help truly add color to the characters' black-and-white sitcom world. Pleasantville has been lauded for its ideas and masterfully subtle visual effects, but Newman's music is what holds it all together. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

Good for background music, but also worth examining, as it is lovely.

There is an exceptional track in this--"The Mural". Otherwise, just a very dreamy soundtrack with splashes of reality here and there. A wonderful movie, too. Somewhat Elfman-esque, with the dreaminess of the main theme and the use of voices. The tracks are short, and are by turn funny or whimsical. December 30, 2006

One of the Best Music Scores Ever Produced

This CD may be hard to find now; if so, consider just buying the DVD and setting your player to hear the music tracks, uniquely interspersed with Randy Newman's commentary. It is fascinating.

You may know that Randy Newman's family is steeped in music, expecialy film composition. His father was Lionel Newman. He's written many popular songs, but his music for the movies will probably last the longest.

His music for Pleasantville is the best he's ever done. The opening of the "Pleasantville Suite" better expresses unrealized yearning than anything I've ever heard. Newman's already worked in the style of Aaron Copland in many of his film scores, perhaps most memorably in "The Natural," but the tilt he puts on this style for Pleasantville is fascinating.

Following the film's demeanor, he has to work from patronizing "Americana," into playing along, and finally into complete involvement in order to support the deepened understanding the characters grow into.

Pleasantville is a story about trapped people happy not knowing they're trapped, becoming desperately unhappy with knowledge, and finally living out an unknown future. Newman's music suits perfectly. He already is recognized for his gift in film score; this work seals that reputation. October 18, 2005

Clever, engaging tunes

Randy Newman did a wonderful job on this scoring. His clever, snappy tunes fit this movie exactly. Well done, and a superb recording to boot. I really liked it, only complaint is that it is too short. Sorta like Randy . . . October 29, 2004

Music could not be more pure than this....

I am moved each time I hear the track entitled "Mural". True music lovers can feel this music become part of you in an instant. I recomend this to anyone who needs to feel a completness in their lives...this definately completes me. September 14, 2002

Beautiful, moving, and well......PLEASANT!

Randy Newman is a composer you may know from his work in several Disney movies, such as 'Toy Story', 'Toy Story 2', 'A Bug's Life', and 'James and the Giant Peach'. As far as I'm concerned, Pleasantville is his best work to date. Newman did an excellent job in referencing tv music from the 50's, as well as just composing some of the most beautiful movie music ever. 'Real Rain', 'The Mural', and 'A New Day' are some of the best tracks on the CD. He also does a fine job composing music for the few serious or menacing cues in the movie. My only complaint is that this CD is quite short. One track is only 15 seconds long. But then again, I don't recall them leaving anything out, so I guess I can't complain too much. However, just for the sheer beauty of the music, this CD is worth the buy. Hey, at least Randy Newman does us all a favor and doesn't sing on this CD! July 19, 2002

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