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Nothing but Troubles

Name: Nothing but Troubles
Director: Edith Carlmar
Released: 1954
Duration: 77 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

1954

Director

Edith Carlmar

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Nothing but Troubles is a class-driven social drama that prioritizes realism over idealized domesticity. It challenges mid-century gender roles by centering the mother and presenting a withdrawn, non-authoritative father. However, the film is limited by the demographic homogeneity of its 1954 Norwegian setting. It lacks depth regarding race and LGBTQ+ identities, functioning primarily as a study of working-class struggle. Ultimately, the film's progressive edge comes from its critical lens on state and family institutions. It refuses to romanticize poverty, opting instead for a gritty deconstruction of domestic order.

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Category Breakdown

Does Nothing but Troubles have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not explicitly address non-straight relationships or same-sex intimacy. It centers on the nuclear family and conflicts with the state, avoiding derogatory stereotypes and maintaining traditional inclusion for its time.

How does Nothing but Troubles portray gender?

Good

Hulda serves as the central family hub, challenging traditional patriarchal structures. The father is portrayed as silent and withdrawn, while Maiken's pursuit of independence challenges mid-century expectations of submissive femininity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Nothing but Troubles?

Limited

The setting reflects the homogeneous demographic reality of 1954 Norway. There is no indication of racial blending or non-white casting, focusing instead on a localized study of class.

How does Nothing but Troubles represent religion and culture?

Good

The film engages with social realism by depicting the family and police as sources of chaos. It prioritizes the struggles of the underrepresented over patriotic or religious ideals.

Does Nothing but Troubles include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional patriarchal structures by positioning the mother as the central figure.
Challenges mid-century gender roles through Maiken's pursuit of independence.
Offers a realistic, non-romanticized depiction of working-class social struggles.

Limited or Absent

Does not include representation of non-straight relationships or LGBTQ+ characters.
Reflects the demographic homogeneity of its era with no racial diversity.
Provides no evidence of disability representation within the narrative.

Official Synopsis

The working-class family Bråten is living in a top floor of a tenement house on the outskirts of Oslo. The family includes three sons and two daughters, mother and father in one room and kitchen. Mother Hulda is the family hub while Mr.Bråten itself is a silent and withdrawn worker. Children contribute in their own way to the neighbors are right when they exclaim: Never anything but trouble! There are problems for all when the police come into the picture after the one his son is participating in a car theft. Middle of all this chaos, 16-year-old Maiken (Vigdis Røising) moves out and seek questionable friends, which brings her into conflict with his father. A tragedy brings the family together again.

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