New Showbiz

You are here:
If You Believe

If You Believe

1999

G

Director

Alan Metzger

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Bah! Humbug! Susan Stone is definitely what you'd call a modern-day scrooge. She is a young, jaded book editor who is consumed with self-doubt and has lost the passion and drive that defined her childhood persona. On the verge of losing her job and being completely on the "outs" with her family, Susan has nearly given up on happiness. Out of nowhere, a cheerful, carefree seven-year-old girl named Suzie awaits Susan back at her apartment. It turns out that little Suzie is the embodiment of Susan's inner child, she is Susan as she once was years ago. Suzie has come to help the adult Susan rediscover and recapture the love of life that she's lost.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.3/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The story focuses on a psychological journey of self-actualization. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or critiques of heteronormativity within the narrative.

Gender Representation

Fair

Susan Stone serves as a central female protagonist navigating professional and familial struggles. The film offers a platform for female agency through her emotional reclamation.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The film's cast composition is not specified. The narrative appears to follow a potentially homogeneous casting model common to 1999 domestic dramas.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

Themes center on individualistic emotional healing within Western narrative traditions. The plot focuses on personal restoration rather than a critique of social or family structures.

Disability Representation

Minimal

The metaphysical concept of an inner child is used for psychological growth. There is no explicit portrayal of neurodivergence or physical disability as a central driver.

Strengths

  • The film provides a central platform for female agency through Susan's emotional journey.
  • The narrative offers a focused exploration of personal growth and psychological reclamation.

Areas for Improvement

  • The story lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative perspectives.
  • The narrative follows conventional tropes without addressing racial or ethnic diversity.
  • There is no exploration of disability or neurodivergent lived experiences.

AI Analysis

If You Believe is a traditional character study centered on personal redemption. The narrative prioritizes the internal emotional reconciliation of a jaded woman with her childhood self over any systemic social critique. The film adheres to conventional dramatic tropes of the late 90s. It focuses on individualistic healing and professional stability rather than exploring intersectional identities or disrupting established social hierarchies. Ultimately, the work functions as a sentimental domestic drama. It lacks the breadth of representation required to challenge traditional norms, focusing instead on a singular, restorative character arc.

How are these scores produced? →

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.