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Beauty

Name: Beauty
Director: Jerry London
Released: 1998
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

1998

Director

Jerry London

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Beauty (1998) is a sentimental romantic drama that excels in its portrayal of physical disability. By focusing on a character with acromegaly, the film offers a nuanced and humanized depiction of a medical condition. However, the film lacks multi-layered depth. The cast appears racially homogeneous, adhering to traditional Western demographics, and there is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender gender expressions. While the film challenges certain aesthetic clichés related to women's ability to drive the story and physical deformity, it remains a conventional period-style romance with limited cultural breadth.

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Category Breakdown

Does Beauty have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on a heterosexual relationship between Alix Miller and Leland Crompton. There is no indication of any queer subtext or non-cisgender identities.

How does Beauty portray gender?

Fair

The story challenges traditional beauty standards by emphasizing emotional connections over physical appearance. However, it remains within a conventional romantic drama framework.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Beauty?

Limited

The film is set in New Hampshire and features characters with Anglo-Saxon names, suggesting a homogeneous cast. It seems to adhere to traditional Western demographic norms.

How does Beauty represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative follows a classic, sentimental Western style, exploring personal morality without critiquing institutions such as religion or the nuclear family.

Does Beauty include disability representation?

Good

The film humanizes acromegaly by integrating Leland Crompton's physical reality into a complex emotional journey. It avoids mockery and gives the character a central role.

Present on Screen

Offers a meaningful representation of acromegaly by focusing on character's ability to drive the story rather than mockery.
Challenges traditional beauty standards by defining women's ability to drive the story through emotional connections rather than physical perfection.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, following a predominantly Anglo-Saxon casting pattern.
Does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender gender expressions.
Avoids engaging with systemic social critiques or diverse cultural perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Alix Miller arrives at the isolated Crompton mansion in New Hampshire to paint the portrait of the mysterious Leland Crompton. When they meet, she discovers that he is horribly disfigured from a disease called acromegaly. Nevertheless, friendship, romance, and a deeper understanding develop between the two.

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