You are here:

Alone in the Small Hours

Alone in the Small Hours

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

1978

Director

José Luis Garci

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Alone in the Small Hours explores the Spanish Transition era, highlighting the tension between traditional societal structures and emerging modern values. The film successfully dismantles the idealized family unit and provides female characters with significant psychological roles. However, it remains confined to its historical context, lacking representation of LGBTQ+ identities or diverse racial backgrounds. The narrative is centered on a homogeneous social environment. Overall, the film excels in subtly challenging traditional norms while examining the evolution of social hierarchies and moral perspectives.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Alone in the Small Hours have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on heterosexual romantic tensions between the protagonist and two women. It does not depict any queer identities or non-traditional gender relationships.

How does Alone in the Small Hours portray gender?

Fair

Female characters play a key role in the protagonist's psychological development. Maite, in particular, serves as an open-minded influence that challenges traditional male-dominated views.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Alone in the Small Hours?

Limited

The story centers around a homogeneous social group typical of Spain during the Transition era. It does not feature diverse racial backgrounds.

How does Alone in the Small Hours represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques evolving social norms and traditional Spanish values. It portrays a modernizing household that deviates from conventional family structures.

Does Alone in the Small Hours include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities that are central to the plot or used as major plot devices.

Present on Screen

  • Challenges traditional gender roles by emphasizing women's influence on the protagonist's growth.
  • Offers a critical look at shifting social norms and traditional Spanish values during a historical transition.
  • Breaks down the idealized family unit through the portrayal of marital separation and modern domestic life.

Limited or Absent

  • Does not include representations of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender relationships.
  • Lacks diverse racial and ethnic representation within the social setting.
  • Does not feature characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Jose, a journalist and radio broadcaster, runs a daily program which has garnered a huge national audience as a satirical chronicle of Spanish society in the democratic transition of the late 1970s. Married and separated from Elena, Jose has two children, whom he only sees from time to time. Then he meets Maite, younger than him, outgoing and more open-minded than he wants. The emotional shock caused by his relationship with these two women will change his pessimistic view of life.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

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.