Mary and The Witch's Flower
2017
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Representation score: 6.6 out of 10
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The Secret Garden
Representation Score
4.4/10
Fair
2017
TV-GDirector
Owen Smith
Runtime
90 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
The film is a traditional period piece that emphasizes atmospheric storytelling over diverse representation. It features a proactive female lead, Mary Lennox, who moves away from passive Victorian child clichés. However, the production remains demographically narrow, with a homogeneous Western cast and no LGBTQ+ identities or diverse racial backgrounds. While the film explores themes of illness and healing, it relies on established clichés rather than presenting a nuanced view of lived disability experiences.
Category Breakdown
Does The Secret Garden have LGBTQ+ representation?
The film follows traditional structures and does not include any non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships.
How does The Secret Garden portray gender?
Mary Lennox is a proactive female lead who drives the story and emotional arcs. The film passes the Bechdel test, but it maintains typical gender roles from its historical setting.
How racially and ethnically diverse is The Secret Garden?
The cast is made up of a homogeneous, Anglo-Saxon group that fits the historical context. The steampunk style does not introduce any racial or ethnic diversity.
How does The Secret Garden represent religion and culture?
The story centers on internal emotions and themes of loss. It does not challenge Western institutions or promote moral relativism.
Does The Secret Garden include disability representation?
Colin’s physical condition drives the emotional plot. However, the narrative relies on traditional healing clichés involving nature.
Present on Screen
- Mary Lennox is a proactive protagonist who drives the narrative and emotional arcs.
- The film passes the Bechdel test through meaningful female dialogue.
- The story provides a compelling exploration of physical frailty through Colin's journey.
Limited or Absent
- The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, remaining predominantly Anglo-Saxon.
- There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender identities.
- Disability is depicted through restorative clichés rather than nuanced lived experiences.
Official Synopsis
Steampunk update of the classic tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett, with orphaned teen Mary Lennox discovering the magic and mystery of the secret garden.
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