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Not Cool

Name: Not Cool
Director: Shane Dawson
Released: 2014
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

2014

Director

Shane Dawson

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Not Cool operates as a conventional coming-of-age comedy that emphasizes traditional social archetypes. The narrative is centered on heterosexual romance and established high school hierarchies, offering limited space for diverse storytelling. The film maintains a homogeneous social backdrop, focusing on a middle-class, predominantly white environment. This lack of diverse casting or cultural engagement confines the story within narrow, traditional boundaries. Ultimately, the film lacks the intentionality to disrupt social norms. It relies on standard genre clichés rather than exploring complex identities or systemic social critiques.

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Category Breakdown

Does Not Cool have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film strictly follows traditional heterosexual relationships. The plot revolves around the tension between the male protagonist and the female lead, with no representation of diverse gender identities.

How does Not Cool portray gender?

Fair

Gender roles center around traditional high school romances. While the 'ugly duckling' cliché offers a minor variation, the film does not challenge established social norms.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Not Cool?

Limited

The story focuses on a predominantly white, middle-class setting. There is a lack of diverse ethnic perspectives integrated into the main character arcs.

How does Not Cool represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative centers on the social politics of high school popularity. It avoids engaging with broader cultural or systemic critiques, sticking to typical genre conventions.

Does Not Cool include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant representation of neurodivergent or physical disabilities. Characters are defined by social status and appearance rather than any visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The 'ugly duckling' cliché provides a minor variation from static character archetypes.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and diverse gender narratives.
There is a notable absence of racial and ethnic diversity within the central arcs.
The story fails to include neurodivergent or physical disability representation.
The narrative does not engage with diverse cultural or systemic perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Former prom king Scott returns home for Thanksgiving break and gets dumped by his long-term girlfriend. With his world turned upside down, Scott strikes an unlikely friendship with former classmate Tori, an ugly duckling who blossomed in her first semester of college, and they embark on an outrageous adventure through their hometown. But when Scott and Tori start falling in love, they realize that a few months away may have changed them more than they realized.

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