
The Four Times
2010

2000
Director
Simon Beaufoy, Bille Eltringham
Runtime
93 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Farm life in the Yorkshire Dales isn't easy at the best of times, but things are exceptionally tough for Tom and Sue. Their eight-year-old son has leukaemia, and the doctors aren't making headway. Meanwhile, Catherine, ten, feels lonely and neglected; befriending Uma, the first Hindu at the village school, she takes her to the Moors. Something strange happens, which Catherine interprets as a vision of the Virgin Mary, and a sign her brother will be all right.
Overall Score
Fair
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film lacks any visible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The story focuses exclusively on the nuclear family and established social structures in the Yorkshire Dales.
Gender Representation
Sue and Catherine drive the emotional core of the story. While women navigate the family's medical crisis, the film adheres to traditional domestic roles and familial responsibilities.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The introduction of Uma, the village's first Hindu student, provides a meaningful break from rural homogeneity. This character facilitates important cross-cultural connections within the school setting.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The narrative explores the intersection of Western religious visions and Hindu spirituality. It presents faith as a subjective, personal coping mechanism during times of intense tragedy.
Disability Representation
The plot is driven by a child's struggle with leukemia. The film focuses on the psychological toll of chronic illness rather than treating the character as a source of inspiration.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
The film offers a nuanced look at social integration by introducing ethnic diversity into a historically homogeneous rural landscape. The inclusion of a Hindu character provides a necessary disruption to the setting's traditionalism. However, the narrative remains heavily anchored in conventional family dynamics. The focus on traditional gender roles and the lack of LGBTQ+ representation limits its progressive reach. Ultimately, the film succeeds in exploring personal faith and the complexities of multiculturalism, even while operating within a standard dramatic framework.

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