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A Time to Remember

Name: A Time to Remember
Director: Thomas Travers
Released: 1987
Duration: 77 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

1987

Director

Thomas Travers

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

A Time to Remember is a period drama that emphasizes traditional social and religious hierarchies. It functions as a conventional moral tale, using a spiritual miracle to reinforce established community norms rather than challenging them. The film engages with ethnic identity and physical disability. However, these elements are presented within a framework of assimilation and spiritual inspiration, avoiding deeper exploration of these issues. Overall, the production adheres to mid-to-late 20th-century family drama conventions, focusing on preserving traditional values and gender roles.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Time to Remember have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film emphasizes traditional family and religious structures. It does not include diverse gender identities or queer stories, focusing instead on heterosexual relationships.

How does A Time to Remember portray gender?

Limited

The story follows traditional gender roles. A male figure enforces conventional masculinity, driving the plot, while women play nurturing and supportive roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Time to Remember?

Fair

The setting mirrors the homogeneity of 1950s small-town America. Though the protagonist has Italian-American roots, the film highlights assimilation within the community.

How does A Time to Remember represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative upholds Western institutions like the nuclear family and the Church. It follows a conventional moral path that supports the current religious order.

Does A Time to Remember include disability representation?

Fair

The film examines physical and communication disabilities through the protagonist's loss of voice. His recovery is a central, empowering part of the film's climax.

Present on Screen

Engages meaningfully with physical disability.
Explores Italian-American heritage through the protagonist.
Features a character-driven arc focused on overcoming communication loss.

Limited or Absent

Relies on traditional patriarchal structures and gender roles.
Does not include diverse gender identities or queer narratives.
Reinforces existing social and religious norms without critique.

Official Synopsis

It is small town America in the 1950's. Twelve year-old Angelo Villano has one dream: to someday sing like his idol, Mario Lanza. His grandmother, Mama Theresa encourages him; and his beautiful voice catches the attention of the formidable but kind Father Walsh who arranges for him to receive formal training. This infuriates Angelo's widowed father, Frank, who wants his son to be a steelworker like him. Determined to "make a man out of him", Frank forbids Angelo from singing. When Angelo is chased by bullies into the path of an oncoming car, he recovers all but his voice, retreating into a silent world that no one can touch. One night, locked in the church basement, the frightened Angelo experiences a spectacular vision, a true Christmas miracle, that changes his life. And when his vision and his voice return during Christmas Eve Mass, no one can deny the beauty and blessing of his amazing gift.

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