You are here:

You Can't Take It with You

Name: You Can't Take It with You
Director: Frank Capra
Released: 1938
Duration: 126 min

Representation Score

4.2/10

Fair

1938

Director

Frank Capra

Runtime

126 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Frank Capra’s comedy functions as a systemic critique of class and materialism. By juxtaposing the joyful, bohemian Sycamore family against the rigid, status-driven Kirby family, the film challenges the dominance of capitalist norms. Though the film lacks modern markers of inclusion, such as racial or LGBTQ+ diversity, it offers a progressive deconstruction of social hierarchies. The narrative emphasizes human connection and individual spirit over institutional prestige. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its celebration of the 'common man' and its rejection of strict social conformity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does You Can't Take It with You have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres strictly to the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. There are no depictions of non-straight or non-cisgender identities, and the romance focuses solely on Alice and Tony.

How does You Can't Take It with You portray gender?

Fair

Female characters exhibit significant intellectual and social independence within a bohemian setting. Alice serves as the primary narrative driver, connecting two different social worlds.

How racially and ethnically diverse is You Can't Take It with You?

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white and middle-class, lacking racial or ethnic diversity among the main characters. This reflects the homogeneity typical of 1930s Hollywood.

How does You Can't Take It with You represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story contrasts the wealthy Kirbys with the eccentric Sycamores, offering a strong critique of materialism and celebrating non-conformity and communal connections over capitalist values.

Does You Can't Take It with You include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Character eccentricities are portrayed as personality traits and lifestyle choices rather than disabilities.

Present on Screen

Sophisticated critique of capitalism and rigid class hierarchies.
Celebration of non-conformity and communal, bohemian lifestyles.
Depiction of female characters with significant social and intellectual influence.

Limited or Absent

Complete absence of racial and ethnic diversity in the cast.
Lack of LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight identities.
No visible depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Alice, the only relatively normal member of the eccentric Sycamore family, falls in love with Tony Kirby, but his wealthy banker father and snobbish mother strongly disapprove of the match. When the Kirbys are invited to dinner to become better acquainted with their future in-laws, things don't turn out the way Alice had hoped.

How are these scores produced? →