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Arranged Marriage

Name: Arranged Marriage
Director: Mike Marvin
Released: 1996
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

3.2/10

Limited

1996

Director

Mike Marvin

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Arranged Marriage functions as a mid-90s genre drama driven by situational melodrama rather than social commentary. The plot relies on established clichés of economic and gender power dynamics to advance the story. While the film touches on the vulnerabilities of immigrant status and housing instability, these elements serve the central conflict of a transactional relationship. The narrative structure reinforces traditional hierarchies rather than challenging them. Ultimately, the film lacks a nuanced framework for exploring the systemic issues it presents, relying instead on the exploitation of character precarity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Arranged Marriage have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a traditional heterosexual relationship. There is no indication of non-straight or non-cisgender identities or queer exploration.

How does Arranged Marriage portray gender?

Fair

The female lead is portrayed through the 'sexy mistress' stereotype. Her role is limited by her legal status and the landlord's financial control.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Arranged Marriage?

Fair

A French character facing deportation adds international elements. However, it is unclear if the film goes beyond using the foreign character as a plot device.

How does Arranged Marriage represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story explores the intersection of immigration and domestic law. It uses marriage and property ownership as tools of coercion within a melodramatic structure.

Does Arranged Marriage include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The inclusion of a French character introduces international elements and explores the precariousness of immigrant status.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on the 'sexy mistress' cliché, which limits women's ability to drive the story.
The narrative reinforces patriarchal structures through the landlord's economic control.
The story lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disability.

Official Synopsis

When a man fails to pay his rent again, his landlord offers him a deal. He can stay only if he accepts to enter an arranged marriage between him and the landlord's sexy French mistress who faces deportation. Things heat up quickly.

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