If you are the kind of person who is swept away by the musical choices of the film you are watching, Pleasantville will not disappoint. If has the perfect balance of songs from the era and musical score selections. Randy Newman's gentle score has a distinct precision of peaks and valleys that accompany the events in the film to perfection. Just when the moment is soft and lovely, with flutes and strings...all of a sudden the music swells and you are swept away. I have a difficult time listening to the Pleasantville Suite without tears coming to my eyes. It is absolutely beautiful.

The songs from the era are nicely selected, showing the growth of interest in rock and roll music as it happened at that time. The movie highlights the more bubble gum selections of the era: Dream Girl, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear and moves on to a point of realization. Buddy Holly's Rave On is terrific, and there could not be a sexier song than Etta James' At Last. Its appeal is still unmatched.

I don't care one way or the other about Fiona Apple, but her remake of the Beatles Across the Universe is nice. As the daughter of a Beatlemaniac mother, I am aware of the dangers of doing a remake from such a legendary group. Apple pulls it off by giving it her own flair.

Pleasantville is a beautiful, poignant film with a soundtrack to match. Unlike many other soundtracks, you WILL find the songs you are looking for here. It is not lacking in depth and you Fiona Apple fans will likely enjoy the bonus track added that was not featured in the film.

This is one soundtrack that gives the film new life, and allows it to live on forever through its music.


Some of the greatest music around!   May 14, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I only bought this soundtrack for Fiona Apple but discovered some absolutely fabulous music! "At Last" by Etta James is by far one of the greatest songs in history. All of the 50's classics in this album should be heard by every human ear! This soundtrack revives all of the long forgotten music and gets 10 in my book.


It's quite pleasant for anyone across the universe.....   January 31, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This soundtrack is quite the "pleasant" one. The fifty's classics are great and Fiona Apple's remake of the Beatle's "Across the Universe" [which was a wonderful song to begin with] is just "icing on the cake". This soundtrack is great for anyone who: is a fan of Fiona Apple, loves music from the 50's, or loved the movie.