New Showbiz

You are here:
The Match

The Match

1999

PG-13

Director

Mick Davis

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Romantic comedy set against the story of a grudge football match between two pubs. The prize for the winner of the centenary match is the the closure of their opponent's bar. The Match was mainly filmed around Straiton in Ayrshire.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.6/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The film appears to follow heteronormative romantic structures typical of late-90s British cinema. There is no visible evidence of non-cisnormative identities or critiques of heteronormativity.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative relies on a traditional romantic comedy framework. While the grudge match offers competitive dynamics, the film does not show significant subversion of established gender roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The setting in Ayrshire and focus on British pub culture suggest a potentially homogeneous social group. While Max Beesley is in the cast, the themes lean toward localized demographics.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The story celebrates localized community institutions like pubs and football clubs. It reinforces established social structures and local traditions rather than critiquing them.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities within the narrative.

Strengths

  • The inclusion of Max Beesley provides opportunities for diverse casting within the ensemble.
  • The film celebrates localized community institutions and regional spirit.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative lacks visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative characters.
  • The story relies on traditional gender roles and established social hierarchies.
  • The thematic focus leans toward homogeneous, localized demographics rather than racial diversity.

AI Analysis

The Match operates as a localized, genre-specific romantic comedy that prioritizes regional identity over intersectional exploration. It adheres to the conventional storytelling tropes of its era, focusing on community conflict rather than challenging systemic power dynamics. The film's focus on traditional social hubs and football rivalries suggests a narrative centered on established, potentially homogeneous social groups. This emphasis on local tradition reinforces existing social structures rather than diversifying the lens. Ultimately, the film lacks evidence of proactive progressive themes or the subversion of traditional hierarchies, functioning instead as a standard period comedy.

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.