You are here:

The Personals

The Personals

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

1982

PG

Director

Peter Markle

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Personals is a character-driven romantic comedy that emphasizes intimate social dynamics over progressive social critiques. It captures the specific era of dating through the lens of a divorced man navigating personal advertisements. While the film introduces more complex female characters, it still adheres to traditional narrative structures. The focus remains on the protagonist's social reintegration rather than challenging broader societal hierarchies. Ultimately, the film serves as a localized study of post-divorce life. It lacks the intentionality or diverse casting needed to provide a broader or more inclusive perspective on identity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Personals have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any queer characters or perspectives that question traditional relationships. The story revolves around heterosexual relationships, focusing on the protagonist's wife leaving him for another man.

How does The Personals portray gender?

Fair

Shelly, a candid single mother, offers a non-traditional female presence. However, the story remains centered on the male protagonist's emotional journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Personals?

Limited

The cast is primarily white and Anglo-Saxon, reflecting the urban Minneapolis setting of the early 1980s. There is no indication of diverse casting that includes various ethnic backgrounds.

How does The Personals represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story examines the social changes following divorce and the breakdown of the nuclear family. It operates as a conventional romantic comedy without critiquing Western institutions.

Does The Personals include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities featured in the film.

Present on Screen

  • Introduces a more complex female character, Shelly, who is a candid single mother.
  • Provides a nuanced, humanistic look at the realities of post-divorce life.

Limited or Absent

  • Does not include LGBTQ+ representation or perspectives within the narrative.
  • Features a predominantly white, Anglo-Saxon cast with limited racial diversity.
  • Focuses on a male-centric perspective, limiting broader social exploration.

Official Synopsis

A touching yet humorous tale of a divorced man searching for love in the personals column and finding out about life in the process.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

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.