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An Average Little Man

An Average Little Man

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

1977

Director

Mario Monicelli

Runtime

122 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Mario Monicelli’s film is a biting sociological critique that prioritizes class and institutional corruption over demographic diversity. It succeeds as a subversive satire, deconstructing the moral decay of the middle class and the hollow nature of bureaucratic careerism. However, the film is limited by its narrow demographic focus. It lacks meaningful representation of LGBTQ+ identities and racial diversity, remaining rooted in a homogeneous Italian social landscape. While it challenges social hierarchies, it does so through a very specific, localized lens. Ultimately, the work trades demographic inclusivity for deep thematic subversion. It is a study of systemic corruption rather than a diverse tapestry of human experience.

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Category Breakdown

Does An Average Little Man have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on the personal and professional concerns of a middle-aged man. It does not include explicit representations of LGBTQ+ identities or stories of liberation, staying within traditional structures that assume everyone is straight.

How does An Average Little Man portray gender?

Fair

Women appear in the domestic sphere, but their influence is often shaped by the central male figure. The film avoids idealized clichés, offering a cynical look at the nuclear family.

How racially and ethnically diverse is An Average Little Man?

Limited

The cast and setting are predominantly uniform, reflecting the socio-economic context of 1970s Italy. The narrative does not emphasize a multicultural or layered approach to diversity.

How does An Average Little Man represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film sharply critiques middle-class stability and Western institutional values. It portrays the pursuit of social status as a descent into moral relativism and systemic corruption.

Does An Average Little Man include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities playing a key role in the narrative or serving as central themes.

Present on Screen

  • Challenges the sanctity of traditional middle-class morality.
  • Deconstructs Western bureaucratic systems and institutional stability.
  • Presents a cynical, realistic view of family life.

Limited or Absent

  • Does not explicitly represent non-straight or LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Has a largely uniform cast with minimal racial or ethnic diversity.
  • Female influence is often secondary to the central male protagonist's journey.

Official Synopsis

A middle-aged government accountant is determined to secure a stable job for his son before retiring, willing to go to great lengths to achieve his goal.

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