You are here:

Big Spender

Name: Big Spender
Director: Paul Schneider
Released: 2003
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

2003

Director

Paul Schneider

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Big Spender is a sentimental drama that relies on traditional storytelling clichés of paternal duty and personal redemption. The narrative follows a convict's journey toward reform through manual labor and caring for horses, reinforcing traditional values of personal responsibility. The film does not intentionally challenge established social hierarchies or power dynamics. Instead, it focuses on the importance of family bonds and the sanctity of familial obligations. Ultimately, the work remains within conventional Western dramatic frameworks, offering limited diverse or characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Big Spender have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to traditional social norms and does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.

How does Big Spender portray gender?

Limited

The story focuses on male characters and traditional masculine roles, such as labor and redemption. Female characters play important roles but are often sidelined.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Big Spender?

Limited

The narrative centers on a local socioeconomic struggle and does not include a diverse cast or intentional focus on racial diversity.

How does Big Spender represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film upholds traditional Western storytelling values, emphasizing the importance of work and honoring commitments to elders.

Does Big Spender include disability representation?

Minimal

The protagonist faces systemic issues related to incarceration, but the film does not depict characters with physical or neurological disabilities.

Present on Screen

Explores themes of paternal responsibility and the struggle to provide for family.
Highlights the restorative power of manual labor and personal accountability.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.
Provides minimal racial or ethnic diversity among the characters.
Does not feature characters with physical or neurological disabilities portrayed with significant roles.

Official Synopsis

Orphan Eddie Burton is not bad, but too many screw-ups land him repeatedly in jail, so his 8-year old son Will, simply abandoned by his 'mother', has nobody else then Eddie's granny. When he hears about a program for convicts working an a foundation's farm for retired race horses, Eddie signs up and proves his talent with Big Spender, who was found completely run down. He nurses the horse back to health, and convinces Jake Cotter, the man in charge, to try a stunt: train him for an new career in jumping, which is a success when his dedicated race jockey Mel Tennant volunteers to ride him again. If he does really well, he may even get a certificate opening the perspective of a real job, which he desperately needs when grandma dies after having him swear he'll get out: the nightmare alternative is to leave Will lingering in the very home that did Eddie no good

How are these scores produced? →