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Lullaby

Name: Lullaby
Director: Andrew Levitas
Released: 2014
Duration: 117 min

Representation Score

6.8/10

Good

2014

Director

Andrew Levitas

Runtime

117 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Lullaby is a character-driven drama that delves into the breakdown of traditional family structures and the exploration of personal autonomy. It moves beyond simple clichés by giving characters facing medical crises real ability to act, especially in debates over life support. However, the film operates within a relatively narrow social framework, lacking significant diversity in both race and LGBTQ+ representation. While it highlights strong female supporting roles, the narrative remains centered on a traditional male protagonist’s journey.

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Category Breakdown

Does Lullaby have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on a heterosexual reunion between Jonathan and his partner, with no representation of non-straight or non-cisgender identities.

How does Lullaby portray gender?

Fair

Female characters, such as a no-nonsense nurse and a wise young patient, play significant roles in driving the story's emotions. However, the film primarily follows the male protagonist's journey toward redemption.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Lullaby?

Fair

The cast is predominantly white, featuring actors like Hedlund and Jenkins. The narrative does not center on non-Anglo-Saxon perspectives or include diverse racial backgrounds.

How does Lullaby represent religion and culture?

Good

The film emphasizes personal choice and secular ethics, exploring moral relativism through the lens of patients' rights and decisions about life support.

Does Lullaby include disability representation?

Good

Terminal illness serves as a catalyst for character development, focusing on the philosophical implications of medical autonomy and patient choice.

Present on Screen

Gives emotional weight to female characters by allowing them to drive the story's emotions.
Focuses on the philosophical implications of medical autonomy rather than inspirational stories.
Explores complex, situational morality instead of relying on religious or institutional rules.

Limited or Absent

Needs more representation of LGBTQ+ identities and non-cisgender characters.
The cast should include more racial and ethnic diversity.
The narrative should explore more diverse perspectives beyond the traditional male protagonist's journey.

Official Synopsis

Estranged from his family, Jonathan (Hedlund) discovers his father has decided to take himself off life support in forty-eight hours’ time. During this intensely condensed period, a lifetime of drama plays out. Robert (Jenkins) fights a zero sum game to reclaim all that his illness stole from his family. A debate rages on patients’ rights and what it truly means to be free. Jonathan reconciles with his father, reconnects with his mother (Archer), sister (Brown-Findlay), and his love (Adams) and reclaims his voice through two unlikely catalysts – a young, wise-beyond-her-years patient (Barden) and a no-nonsense nurse (Hudson). Through this intensely life affirming prism, an unexpected and powerful journey of love, laughter, and forgiveness unfolds.

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