You are here:

The Sun Also Rises

Name: The Sun Also Rises
Director: Henry King
Released: 1957
Duration: 130 min

Representation Score

6.4/10

Good

1957

Director

Henry King

Runtime

130 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film acts as a transitional work that challenges 1950s cinematic norms through its exploration of disillusionment. It successfully dismantles traditional gender roles and examines the psychological impact of physical injuries, offering a more layered narrative compared to many contemporary dramas. However, the film's focus on a homogeneous group of wealthy Caucasians limits its inclusivity. The absence of racial diversity and explicit LGBTQ+ representation prevents it from achieving a higher score for diversity. Overall, the film's strength lies in its refusal to provide clear-cut morals, choosing instead to explore the erosion of traditional Western social structures and evolving identities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Sun Also Rises have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film avoids explicitly naming queer identities but hints at unconsummated desires. This departure from conventional romance narratives of the time suggests a more complex understanding of relationships.

How does The Sun Also Rises portray gender?

Good

Lady Brett Ashley stands out as a strong-willed woman who defies the passive feminine stereotypes of her time. She rejects traditional domestic roles and asserts her independence, challenging the era's gender norms.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Sun Also Rises?

Minimal

The narrative focuses on a homogeneous group of wealthy Caucasian expatriates. The social circle reflects a specific socioeconomic context but lacks racial or ethnic diversity in its central arcs.

How does The Sun Also Rises represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques the stability of Western institutions by focusing on the 'Lost Generation.' It highlights the collapse of traditional social structures as a psychological reality for those affected by World War I.

Does The Sun Also Rises include disability representation?

Fair

Jake Lavery’s war injury is central to the plot. The film avoids inspirational clichés, instead showing how his physical condition influences his psychological state and social interactions.

Present on Screen

Challenges mid-century gender norms through the independent and unconventional character of Lady Brett Ashley.
Provides a nuanced, somber depiction of disability by linking physical impairment to character motivation.
Offers a sophisticated critique of traditional Western social and religious institutions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing almost exclusively on a Caucasian social circle.
Provides no explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
Relies on subtext rather than overt visibility for themes of non-traditional desire.

Official Synopsis

A group of disillusioned American expatriate writers live a dissolute, hedonistic lifestyle in 1920's France and Spain.

How are these scores produced? →