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Cracking Up

Name: Cracking Up
Director: Rowby Goren, Chuck Staley
Released: 1977
Duration: 69 min

Representation Score

5.0/10

Fair

1977

Director

Rowby Goren, Chuck Staley

Runtime

69 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Cracking Up is a traditional 1970s genre piece using a sketch-comedy format to explore a hypothetical Los Angeles earthquake. The film prioritizes situational humor and immediate physical responses to disaster over meaningful social critique. The production adheres to the conventional comedic standards of its time, lacking the narrative depth needed to drive complex social themes or challenge established hierarchies. Ultimately, it serves as a lighthearted disaster comedy without engaging in diverse or progressive storytelling.

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Category Breakdown

Does Cracking Up have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not prominently feature non-binary genders or challenge the assumption that everyone is straight. Its focus is on humor related to the earthquake scenario rather than LGBTQ+ representation.

How does Cracking Up portray gender?

Fair

The film follows traditional comedic clichés typical of 1970s cinema. It emphasizes reactionary behavior during a disaster rather than challenging established gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Cracking Up?

Fair

Set in Los Angeles, the film does not confirm a predominantly non-white cast. Characters of color do not have substantial roles or control over their situations.

How does Cracking Up represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story centers on survival and immediate reactions rather than ideological critiques. It does not address or challenge Western institutions or promote secular views.

Does Cracking Up include disability representation?

Limited

The film does not feature characters with disabilities as central figures with ability to act. In this era, such portrayals often used disability merely as a plot device.

Present on Screen

The sketch-comedy format allows for quick introduction of various character types.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and stories that challenge the assumption everyone is straight.
Characters with disabilities are not shown as having significant control over their situations.
The narrative does not give substantial roles or control to characters of color.
The film does not engage with complex cultural or ideological critiques.

Official Synopsis

What would happen if a 9.7 magnitude earthquake were to strike the L.A. area? This is what "Cracking Up" looks at from the lighter side. The movie is composed of individual skits of original material by the actors spun around this hypothetical disaster.

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