
Skin Deep
1989

Representation Score
Fair
1981
RDirector
Glenn Jordan
Runtime
120 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Only When I Laugh is a character-driven domestic drama that prioritizes female subjectivity. It succeeds in centering a woman's perspective through her journey of recovery and professional navigation. However, the film lacks multi-layered breadth, adhering to the established social and narrative norms of the early 1980s, focusing on personal struggles rather than systemic critique.
Category Breakdown
The film does not include any documented LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It focuses on traditional romantic and social structures within an urban setting.
The narrative centers on a woman's emotional landscape and maternal responsibilities, disrupting traditional male-centric clichés. It emphasizes her subjective experiences and emotional journey.
The film follows conventional 1980s casting norms, focusing on a specific middle-class, urban social circle without a diverse ensemble.
The story operates within traditional social realism, exploring personal recovery and familial responsibility without critiquing Western institutions or religious structures.
The protagonist's struggle with alcohol addiction introduces themes of mental health and dependency, serving primarily as a vehicle for character development and emotional drama.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
A boozy Broadway actress comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends as well as her needy daughter. She tries to balance the terrors of returning to work with the demands of all around her with humor and insight, while staying off the booze.

1989

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