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Starfish

Name: Starfish
Director: Bill Clark
Released: 2016
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

2016

Director

Bill Clark

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Starfish is a compelling character study that shines in its portrayal of a quadruple amputee navigating life after sepsis. The film gives significant weight to the character's journey, providing a nuanced look at disability and resilience. However, the film's scope is limited to a specific British family and traditional Western values, lacking broader diversity in terms of race, gender, and culture.

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Category Breakdown

Does Starfish have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a heterosexual couple with no representation of LGBTQ+ relationships or non-binary identities.

How does Starfish portray gender?

Fair

Nicola transitions from a passive role to a central figure in the survival narrative. However, the story revolves around traditional family dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Starfish?

Limited

The story follows a predominantly white cast, typical of local British family dramas, without much diversity.

How does Starfish represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story highlights Western ideals of family unity and unconditional love without critiquing religious or societal institutions.

Does Starfish include disability representation?

Excellent

The film centers on a character who is a quadruple amputee, making disability the main driver of the story. It avoids common clichés by focusing on real-life survival challenges.

Present on Screen

Gives a significant role in driving the story to a character dealing with profound physical disability.
Avoids common clichés by focusing on real-world survival challenges.
Elevates the female protagonist as a central agent of emotional stability and survival.

Limited or Absent

Lacks diversity in terms of racial and ethnic representation.
Operates within traditional and conventional social frameworks.
Does not explore diverse gender identities or LGBTQ+ relationship dynamics.

Official Synopsis

Based on the real story of Tom and Nicola Ray from Rutland. Their perfect life is totally ruined in a single moment after Tom had developed sepsis. While her husband was in coma, Nicola gave birth to their second child on the other side of the same hospital. Within a matter of days, sepsis would rob Tom of both his arms and legs, and left his face severely disfigured. As an ordinary man, Tom never put himself at risk — he just woke up two months later in a nightmare, a face-off quadruple amputee... This incredible story of survival shows what can be overcome when love is unconditional.

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