You are here:

A Mermaid in Paris

A Mermaid in Paris

Representation Score

6.2/10

Good

2020

Not Rated

Director

Mathias Malzieu

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

A Mermaid in Paris is a visually sophisticated musical fable that prioritizes aesthetic whimsy and emotional expressionism. It functions as a surrealist romance rather than a vehicle for social critique, opting for a dream-like logic that remains insulated from contemporary sociopolitical discourse. While the film avoids harmful stereotypes, it lacks the intentionality needed to disrupt traditional narrative hierarchies. The story stays within the bounds of established genre clichés, focusing on interpersonal chemistry rather than characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity or systemic challenges.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does A Mermaid in Paris have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story follows a conventional romance between Lou and the mermaid, without explicitly engaging with queer identities or challenging traditional romantic structures.

How does A Mermaid in Paris portray gender?

Fair

The mermaid plays a significant role in the protagonist's emotional growth. However, the film does not actively challenge established gender hierarchies or patriarchal models.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Mermaid in Paris?

Fair

The film uses a stylized, European fairy-tale aesthetic for its Parisian setting. The casting follows Western-centric norms without significant multi-layered diversity or race-bent archetypes.

How does A Mermaid in Paris represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative prioritizes individual emotional journeys and the power of art over institutional critique. It exists in a magical-realist vacuum that avoids engagement with systemic power dynamics.

Does A Mermaid in Paris include disability representation?

Fair

The mermaid’s physical separation from the human world serves as a poetic metaphor for otherness. The film avoids treating these limitations as objects of pity or mere plot devices.

Present on Screen

  • Avoids the pitfalls of inspiration porn by treating the mermaid's unique nature as intrinsic rather than pitiable.
  • Uses a sophisticated, magical-realist lens to explore themes of emotional and physical limitations.
  • Prioritizes aesthetic resonance and the restorative power of art within its romantic framework.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks intentionality in disrupting traditional narrative hierarchies or gendered power structures.
  • Fails to provide significant multi-layered diversity, leaning heavily on Western-centric casting norms.
  • Does not engage with queer identities or seek to deconstruct straight-centered romantic clichés.

Official Synopsis

A man rescues a mermaid in Paris and slowly falls in love with her.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.