You are here:

Noriega: God's Favorite

Name: Noriega: God's Favorite
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Released: 2000
Duration: 157 min

Representation Score

2.8/10

Limited

2000

Director

Roger Spottiswoode

Runtime

157 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Noriega: God's Favorite is a sophisticated critique of Western institutionalism and post-colonial power dynamics. It challenges conventional historical narratives and highlights the moral ambiguities in global power structures. However, the film's narrow focus on military and intelligence hierarchies leads to low scores for gender and LGBTQ+ representation. The narrative operates within a strictly patriarchal environment that excludes female and LGBTQ+ characters. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its racial and cultural interrogation. By centering a Latin American figure and the complexities of U.S. interventionism, it disrupts traditional Western-centric storytelling.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Noriega: God's Favorite have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters. The story stays within the confines of traditional mid-to-late 20th-century political power structures.

How does Noriega: God's Favorite portray gender?

Minimal

The story focuses almost entirely on male-dominated military and intelligence spheres. Women are largely absent from the central power dynamics and have little control over their situations.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Noriega: God's Favorite?

Good

The film highlights significant representation of Panamanian ethnic identities, including Mestizo and Afro-Panamanian populations. It centers a non-Anglo-Saxon narrative to challenge traditional Western-centric storytelling.

How does Noriega: God's Favorite represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film explores the intersection of Catholic religious beliefs and political corruption. It provides a nuanced critique of Western institutions and the impact of U.S. foreign policy.

Does Noriega: God's Favorite include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film.

Present on Screen

Highlights significant representation of Panamanian Mestizo and Afro-Panamanian ethnic identities.
Offers a sophisticated critique of Western foreign policy and moral relativism.
Disrupts traditional Western-centric storytelling by centering a Latin American figure.

Limited or Absent

Focuses almost entirely on male-dominated military and intelligence spheres, lacking women's ability to drive the story.
Does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Fails to address or represent physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The story of Panamanian general Manuel Antonio 'Tony' Noriega, whose meteoric career, from utter poverty, as a soldier and CIA informant who also served as source to various other powers and even the Colombian drug mafia he claims to fight valiantly to please CIA director and later U.S. president Bush Sr., starts when he confesses to a priest, reminiscing how he has experienced such luck that he believes himself to be God's favorite- each time he takes more risks people tell him he went too far, but always seems to get away with it.

How are these scores produced? →