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Career

Name: Career
Director: Joseph Anthony
Released: 1959
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1959

Director

Joseph Anthony

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Career is a quintessential mid-century drama that prioritizes individualistic ambition over social critique. The plot is driven by the machinations of its male protagonists, leaving female characters in passive roles. The production reflects the era's standard social landscape, focusing on a homogeneous, Anglo-centric professional class. It lacks complexity or any subversion of the traditional status quo. Ultimately, the film functions as a standard character study that adheres strictly to the patriarchal and straight-centered expectations of 1959.

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Category Breakdown

Does Career have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on a rivalry between two men over a female partner, reinforcing traditional heterosexual relationships. It does not depict any non-binary gender identities or same-sex intimacy.

How does Career portray gender?

Limited

The narrative emphasizes patriarchal structures where male characters dominate. Despite Shirley MacLaine being a central figure, she has little control over her own fate, serving mainly as a catalyst for male ambitions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Career?

Minimal

The story focuses on a homogeneous social group, depicting an Anglo-centric professional class without incorporating diverse racial or ethnic viewpoints.

How does Career represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film upholds traditional Western values concerning ambition and the nuclear family. It uses military service as a conventional means to resolve personal conflicts.

Does Career include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters having visible or invisible disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

The film provides a clear, focused study of individual ambition and the personal costs of professional success.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks women's ability to drive the story, treating women as objects of conflict rather than independent characters.
The cast and setting lack racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a narrow social perspective.
The story fails to explore or represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender experiences.

Official Synopsis

Playwright James Lee adapted his off-Broadway play for the screen in this high-strung adaptation, directed by Joseph Anthony. In this simplistic, backroom show-business-success saga, Anthony Franciosa plays Sam, a struggling young actor who will forsake his family and take any type of menial job in order to become a Broadway star. Dean Martin is on hand as Maury, an aspiring director also trying to claw his way up the ladder of success. When Maury gets his big break, Sam wants a part in his show, but when Maury, who is unwilling to cast Sam in the production, turns down Sam's request, Sam seduces and marries Maury's girlfriend (Shirley MacLaine). In spite of everything, Maury wants his girl back, and Sam agrees to a divorce on the stipulation that Maury cast him as the star in his next show. Once again, Maury reneges and, before Sam can exact his revenge, Uncle Sam comes to the rescue and he is drafted into the army.

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