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What's Happening to Me?

What's Happening to Me?

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

1986

Runtime

27 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

What's Happening to Me? is a coming-of-age animation that stands out for its progressive racial representation in the 1980s. By centering a Black protagonist in a suburban environment, the film avoids common casting clichés and grants the lead character a significant role in driving the story. However, the film remains traditional in other areas, adhering to conventional gender hierarchies and social frameworks. While it lacks diversity in terms of disability and cultural critique, its subversion of racial casting clichés offers a meaningful perspective for its time.

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Category Breakdown

Does What's Happening to Me? have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on traditional romantic relationships and does not explore narratives that challenge straight relationships or present diverse gender identities.

How does What's Happening to Me? portray gender?

Fair

The story follows typical adolescent gender dynamics and social patterns. It explores teenage crushes without actively challenging traditional gender expectations.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What's Happening to Me??

Good

The film features an African American protagonist named Joel in a suburban setting. This choice provides a nuanced look at the Black teenage experience, disrupting historical casting clichés.

How does What's Happening to Me? represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative operates within a traditional middle-class suburban framework. It focuses on individual biological maturation without critiquing Western institutions or morality.

Does What's Happening to Me? include disability representation?

Limited

There is no prominent focus on neurodivergence or physical disabilities. Characters are depicted through the lens of typical adolescent development without disability-centric plot devices.

Present on Screen

  • Centers an African American protagonist in a suburban setting, disrupting historical casting clichés.
  • Provides a nuanced depiction of the Black teenage experience with strong character's ability to drive the story.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender expressions.
  • No visible focus on neurodivergence, physical disabilities, or chronic illness.
  • Follows conventional gender hierarchies and traditional social frameworks.

Official Synopsis

An animated adaptation of Peter Mayle's bestseller, talking about and explaining the strange and often surprising things that can happen to a young person during puberty.

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