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St. Patrick's Day

Name: St. Patrick's Day
Director: Hope Perello
Released: 1998
Duration: 106 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

1998

PG-13

Director

Hope Perello

Runtime

106 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

St. Patrick's Day serves as a character-driven dramedy that uses a traditional holiday to challenge societal and family norms. The film successfully integrates queer identity into the family dynamic, avoiding stereotypical or secondary roles. Despite its critique of traditional institutions and patriarchal structures, the film remains narrowly focused on a specific Irish heritage, limiting racial and ethnic diversity. The film presents a realistic and often messy look at family dysfunction, though it lacks representation across several demographic categories.

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Category Breakdown

Does St. Patrick's Day have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film places John Michael's relationship with his boyfriend at the center of the story, moving beyond a supporting role and challenging traditional views of family dynamics.

How does St. Patrick's Day portray gender?

Fair

Mary McDonough demonstrates strong authority by enforcing rules against alcohol, questioning traditional male dominance. However, the film's portrayal of women's empowerment seems limited to just one character.

How racially and ethnically diverse is St. Patrick's Day?

Fair

The story focuses primarily on an Irish cultural context, with no indication of multi-ethnic casting or significant racial diversity.

How does St. Patrick's Day represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques traditional family values by showing infidelity, divorce, and potential occult practices during a holiday celebration, highlighting family dysfunction.

Does St. Patrick's Day include disability representation?

Minimal

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

Present on Screen

Places queer identity as a central part of the family dynamic, not just a side note.
Uses strong female characters to challenge traditional male dominance.
Critiques traditional cultural and religious norms through a lens of moral complexity.

Limited or Absent

Focuses mainly on Irish heritage, lacking racial and ethnic diversity.
Does not include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Female empowerment is shown through a single character rather than a wider range.

Official Synopsis

It's your traditional Irish holiday - cousins are having sex, couples are getting divorced, John Michael has brought his boyfriend and Millicent might be a witch - it's enough to drive you to drink. The only catch - Mary McDonough won't allow a drop of whiskey in the house.

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