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Assassin in the Phonebook

Name: Assassin in the Phonebook
Director: Léo Joannon
Released: 1962
Duration: 93 min

1962

Director

Léo Joannon

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

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Synopsis

Fernandel plays Albert, the unhappy brunt of jokes by his fellow office-workers who goes from the frying pan into the fire. Albert gets caught up in a robbery that also goes from bad to worse when it leads to several murders. Although he is not a killer and essentially innocent, there does not seem to be very much that Albert can do to convince others of the truth.

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Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.9/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks any evidence of non-heteronormative identities or same-sex intimacy. It operates within a conventional social comedy and crime framework.

Gender Representation

Limited

The story centers on a male protagonist navigating professional and criminal mishaps. Women do not appear to occupy roles of high agency or subvert traditional leadership.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

Set in 1962 France, the narrative suggests a homogeneous social environment. There is no indication of a diverse cast or non-Western identity metaphors.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The film explores friction between an individual and social institutions like the workplace. However, it frames these struggles through personal misfortune rather than systemic critique.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no specific details regarding neurodivergence, physical disability, or mental health conditions present in the narrative.

Strengths

Explores themes of social isolation and the fragility of individual reputation.
Provides a character-driven look at how professional environments can marginalize individuals.

Areas for Improvement

Lacks representation of diverse racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ identities.
Does not subvert traditional gender hierarchies or provide female characters with high agency.
Fails to offer a systemic critique of the institutions it depicts.

AI Analysis

The film is a traditional mid-century character study that relies on the 'wrong man' trope. It focuses on the social isolation of Albert, an office worker victimized by both his colleagues and a systemic failure to recognize his innocence. While the protagonist experiences marginalization, the film adheres to the demographic norms of 1962. It functions as a classic comedic crime drama rather than a tool for social or systemic critique. Ultimately, the narrative follows a standard trajectory of personal misfortune. It does not offer a progressive exploration of intersectional identity or challenge established social orders.

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