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American Rickshaw

Name: American Rickshaw
Director: Sergio Martino
Released: 1989
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

1989

Director

Sergio Martino

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

American Rickshaw blends genres to create a thriller that emphasizes plot momentum and late-1980s action-horror clichés. The story follows a protagonist entangled in a web of accidental criminality and supernatural elements. The film sticks to established genre mechanics rather than providing progressive sociopolitical commentary. It relies on traditional archetypes, such as the stripper and the witch, to build suspense. Ultimately, the work focuses on genre thrills and traditional storytelling structures. It lacks the nuanced character studies or systemic deconstruction needed for a higher diversity rating.

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Category Breakdown

Does American Rickshaw have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that question the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. The story revolves around a male protagonist and a typical female character, reflecting a traditional 1980s setup.

How does American Rickshaw portray gender?

Limited

Gender roles in the film are traditional, with the female character serving as a cliché to spark the male protagonist’s journey. There is no indication of challenging gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is American Rickshaw?

Limited

The Miami setting and the depiction of a rickshaw occupation suggest potential for a diverse urban environment. However, the protagonist's name implies a Western background, and there is no specific multi-layered depth.

How does American Rickshaw represent religion and culture?

Limited

Religious conflicts and supernatural elements serve as plot devices rather than social critiques. The film does not appear to challenge traditional moral structures or institutions.

Does American Rickshaw include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

The Miami setting offers a potential backdrop for a multicultural urban environment.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on traditional gender clichés that position women as catalysts for male control over the story.
The narrative lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
There is no evidence of characters with disabilities or multi-layered depth.

Official Synopsis

After a stripper tricks him into filming a sex tape, Miami rickshaw runner Scott Edwards becomes embroiled in the murder of a televangelist's son when he inadvertently takes the wrong videotape. With the help of the stripper and a witch, Edwards sets out to clear his name while avoiding the assassin dead-set on retrieving the tape.

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