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The Pretty Ones

Name: The Pretty Ones
Director: Melisa Liebenthal
Released: 2016
Duration: 77 min

Representation Score

6.3/10

Good

2016

Director

Melisa Liebenthal

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Pretty Ones is a reflective documentary that goes beyond simple inclusion to question how gender is performed and regulated. By using personal archives and home movies, the film shifts the external male gaze to an internal, subjective perspective on femininity. The film's main strength lies in its sophisticated critique of gendered expectations. It portrays femininity not as a natural state, but as a series of social mandates and prohibitions that women must navigate. However, the scope seems somewhat limited. The focus on a specific circle of friends restricts the visible diversity regarding race and ethnicity, and there is no clear representation of disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Pretty Ones have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores the complexities of female identity and social expectations. Though it doesn't explicitly show queer romantic relationships, the focus on non-traditional feminine expressions hints at a space for diverse gender perspectives.

How does The Pretty Ones portray gender?

Excellent

Liebenthal excels at challenging traditional gender roles by centering a feminine world seen from the inside. The narrative emphasizes how women navigate and resist patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Pretty Ones?

Fair

The film focuses on a close-knit group of lifelong friends. There is insufficient evidence to confirm a high degree of racial or ethnic diversity within the portrayed group.

How does The Pretty Ones represent religion and culture?

Good

The film offers a critique of traditional Western social institutions and mandates. It uses humor and honesty to deconstruct established cultural norms and the performative nature of social structures.

Does The Pretty Ones include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence to suggest that neurodivergence or physical disabilities are central themes or featured prominently in this narrative.

Present on Screen

Shifts the external male gaze to an internal, subjective perspective on femininity.
Emphasizes women's ability to drive the story and intellectual autonomy through candid dialogue and personal archives.
Critiques the social mandates and prohibitions that shape the construction of gender.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible evidence of racial or ethnic diversity within the social circle.
Provides no clear representation or focus on disability or neurodivergence.
Does not explicitly confirm specific depictions of LGBTQ+ intimacy.

Official Synopsis

From her own personal experience and from talking with her lifelong friends, Melisa (24) wonders about the mandates and prohibitions that mold the cultural construction of the female gender, especially in relation to the image. With humor and candidness, the film portraits a feminine world seen from the inside, from conversations, personal photos and home movies.

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