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Tricks

Name: Tricks
Director: Kenneth Fink
Released: 1997
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

4.9/10

Fair

1997

Director

Kenneth Fink

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Tricks is a character-driven drama that emphasizes women's ability to drive the story over traditional domestic stability. The protagonist's journey through professional blacklisting and systemic exploitation critiques male-dominated power structures. While the film offers meaningful representation of women navigating underrepresented social roles, it lacks multi-layered depth. There is a notable absence of LGBTQ+ visibility and specific details about the depth of the diverse cast members. Ultimately, the film challenges conventional social expectations by focusing on survival and retribution within the fringes of legality, though it remains limited in its breadth of representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Tricks have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or representations of non-straight relationships. Despite the high-risk social environment, there is no visible acknowledgment of these communities.

How does Tricks portray gender?

Good

The story focuses on a woman's ability to act and her struggle against systemic abuse. By making the protagonist the main driver of her own justice, the film challenges the stereotype of passive female characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Tricks?

Fair

The ensemble features actors of different ethnicities, such as Hiro Kanagawa and David A. Kaye. However, it is unclear if these characters have significant narrative ability to act or remain on the periphery.

How does Tricks represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative examines social exclusion and the failure of institutions to protect the vulnerable. It critiques socioeconomic structures through a protagonist who operates outside traditional moral frameworks.

Does Tricks include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on women's ability to drive the story and challenging traditional stereotypes.
Critiques systemic exploitation and the vulnerability of women in power structures.
Explores complex themes of social exclusion and moral relativism.

Limited or Absent

Lack of visible LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight relationships.
Uncertainty regarding the narrative depth and ability to act of diverse cast members.
Absence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Ex-showgirl and part-time hooker Rogers loses her legitimate job at a casino because of an abusive trick. She gets revenge when she is blacklisted and her son is threatened.

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