You are here:
The Brasher Doubloon

The Brasher Doubloon

1947

Approved

Director

John Brahm

Runtime

72 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Mrs. Elizabeth Bright Murdock hires Marlowe to find an old rare coin, the Brasher Doubloon, that belonged in her deceased husband's collection. Marlowe begins investigating, but quickly finds himself entangled in a series of unexplained murders.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.2/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks any discernible presence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities. It adheres strictly to the heteronormative social structures of 1940s Hollywood.

Gender Representation

Limited

Female characters are central to the mystery but often function as traditional femme fatales. Their agency is framed through deception rather than a subversion of patriarchal hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The production features a largely homogeneous cast reflecting standard era casting practices. There is no evidence of non-white characters possessing significant narrative agency.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The story functions as a moralistic tale about greed and obsession. It operates within a framework of individual morality without challenging Western institutions or traditional structures.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no notable depictions of physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are presented within a standard able-bodied framework.

Strengths

  • The film provides a masterclass in expressionistic tension and psychological depth through John Brahm's direction.
  • The narrative effectively utilizes classic noir archetypes to drive a suspenseful mystery.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisnormative gender expressions.
  • The casting is largely homogeneous, offering little racial or ethnic diversity.
  • Female characters are limited to traditional tropes like the femme fatale rather than complex agency.
  • There is no depiction of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

AI Analysis

The film is a quintessential mid-century noir that operates entirely within the social and narrative constraints of 1947. It relies on established genre archetypes and traditional hierarchies rather than attempting to disrupt them. Representation is minimal across the board, with a cast that aligns with the dominant Anglo-Saxon norms of the period. The narrative focuses on psychological decay and material greed rather than exploring diverse identities or social subversions. Ultimately, the work serves as a standard genre exercise in suspense, lacking the intentionality required to represent marginalized groups or challenge the status quo.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.