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Frankie & Hazel

Name: Frankie & Hazel
Director: JoBeth Williams
Released: 2000
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2000

Director

JoBeth Williams

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Frankie & Hazel is a character-driven drama that prioritizes women's ability to drive the story. The protagonists actively challenge traditional gendered expectations by pursuing interests and ambitions that fall outside conventional roles. The film presents non-traditional domestic dynamics, such as Frankie's guardianship under her grandmother. It also introduces themes of social change through Hazel's political aspirations. While the film offers meaningful departures from standard family programming, it maintains a conventional social framework and lacks specific LGBTQ+ representation or disability-focused narratives.

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Category Breakdown

Does Frankie & Hazel have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the platonic friendship between the two leads. It does not include explicit depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or relationships.

How does Frankie & Hazel portray gender?

Good

The story centers on young women rejecting traditional feminine roles. Frankie chooses baseball over ballet, while Hazel pursues political leadership, challenging conventional gender expectations.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Frankie & Hazel?

Fair

The cast includes actors of various ethnicities, such as Ingrid Uribe. However, the narrative remains centered within a relatively conventional social structure.

How does Frankie & Hazel represent religion and culture?

Good

The film explores civic engagement through Hazel's activism. It also deconstructs the idealized family unit by focusing on Frankie's life with her grandmother.

Does Frankie & Hazel include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed as central to the character arcs in this narrative.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by having a female lead choose baseball over ballet.
Highlights women's ability to drive the story through Hazel's pursuit of political office and activism.
Explores non-traditional guardianship by focusing on Frankie's life with her grandmother.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or relationships.
Does not feature characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Maintains a relatively conventional social structure regarding racial and ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

Actress JoBeth Williams directed this Showtime family feature starring The Sixth Sense's Mischa Barton for Barbra Streisand's Barwood Films. Barton is Frankie and Ingrid Uribe is Hazel, Frankie's neighbor and best friend. Frankie is an orphan who lives with her imperious grandmother, Phoebe (Joan Plowright), while Hazel lives with her father and older brother. Frankie's mother was a prima ballerina--killed in a car crash along with her father--and Frankie's been following in her toe shoes ever since. Although she's the best dancer in her class, she'd rather play baseball, whereas Hazel's a local activist who'd rather be mayor. The story strains credibility when 13-year-old Hazel runs for office against the middle-aged incumbent, but Frankie's goal is more understandable, and both actresses make their characters sympathetic and believable. It's as hard not to like them as it is not to root for them to succeed.

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