You are here:

More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story

Name: More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story
Director: Kayvon Derak Shanian
Released: 2021
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

8.1/10

Excellent

2021

Director

Kayvon Derak Shanian

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary succeeds as a sophisticated biographical study that centers the lived experience of a person of color. By weaving personal psychological complexity with a critique of institutional exclusion, it offers a nuanced look at the cost of breaking through cultural glass ceilings. The film's primary strength lies in its exploration of racial and ethnic ability to act. It effectively uses Morita's career to examine the evolution of representation and the systemic barriers faced by Asian-American actors. However, the film remains a traditional male-centric biography. It lacks explicit focus on LGBTQ+ identities and operates within a framework that does not actively challenge gender hierarchies.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not focus on LGBTQ+ narratives or identities. While it touches on the subject's internal struggles, there is no explicit depiction of non-straight relationships.

How does More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story portray gender?

Fair

This biographical study centers on a male figure within a traditional framework. However, it challenges the stoic male archetype by highlighting his psychological vulnerabilities and internal battles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story?

Excellent

The documentary highlights the ability to act of Asian-Americans. It examines the tension between Morita's authentic identity and the systemic discrimination he faced in the Hollywood industry.

How does More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques historical inequities within the entertainment industry. It presents a complex, humanistic portrait of success and struggle, moving away from idealized moralities.

Does More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story include disability representation?

Excellent

The narrative meaningfully integrates Morita's experience of being bed-bound as a child. It treats his physical history as a foundational element of his identity rather than mere inspiration.

Present on Screen

Provides a significant exploration of Asian-American ability to act and the realities of systemic discrimination in Hollywood.
Offers a nuanced portrayal of disability by treating the subject's physical history as a core component of his identity.
Avoids simplistic clichés by presenting a complex, humanistic portrait of the subject's psychological struggles.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation or focus on LGBTQ+ narratives and identities.
Operates within a traditional biographical framework that does not actively challenge gender hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

The Oscar nominated actor best known for his role of Mr. Miyagi, left behind a painfully revealing autobiographical record of his much-too-brief time here on earth. Tracing his journey from being bed bound as a boy to the bright lights and discrimination in Hollywood. Deep inside that sweet, generous, multi-talented performer seethed an army of demons, that even alcohol and drugs couldn't mask.

How are these scores produced? →