When David comes in late to his job at the soda shop, soda jerk Bill Johnson is still wiping the counter as per the script -- but he has been frozen in place, wiping it for so long he has worn the enamel away. After being cast into Pleasantville David discovers, the citizens of Pleasantville are characters -- automatons going through their roles at the dictates of the show. Immediately, David introduces the concept of choice, of free will. Dispite David's initial insecurity and certain attachment issues he realizes he and his fellow Pleasantville companions are better off for experiencing change. Through a series of good deeds, the introduction of art, literature to the Pleasantville society along with his inner leadership bursting out in the court. David realizes he can make a difference in society, he has realized he is of value to others and himself. In a scene towards the end film, in the real world, David comforts his mother proving her previous supposed ideals wrong "life's not suppose to be anything" David says. Dispite David's initial resistance to change benefited as a character by developing through experience from the socially inept nerd through to the self-confident and reassuring leader at the end of the film.
Similarly, David's twin Jennifer is also better off for experiencing change in her life. Dispite, Jennifer's initial rejection and dismissal of Pleasantville Jennifer really grows into a meaningful character. Initially Jennifer is obsessed with popularity, clear skin, and sex with top jocks forges ahead in an attempt to find, or make, something here she can actually stand. Jennifer is a very shallow, meaningless and underneath unhappy character. Once into Pleasantville Jennifer experiences difficulty accepting her meaningless real life. Jennifer still continues to rebel, though she begins to realize the meaningless life she has been living. Jennifer watches helplessly as her supposed date selfishly, leaves her real life house, muttering bitch as he leaves proving Jennifer has no life in the real world.