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The Best of Times

Name: The Best of Times
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Released: 1986
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Fair

1986

PG-13

Director

Roger Spottiswoode

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film primarily functions as a critique of the Great Depression through a class-based lens, rather than an multi-layered study. It successfully challenges period-typical gender roles through its professional female lead, but fails to include diverse racial or LGBTQ+ perspectives. While the narrative provides a sophisticated look at systemic institutional failure and the ethics of survival, the lack of representation across several key identity markers limits its overall score. It is a period piece that prioritizes economic friction over social diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Best of Times have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The social and romantic dynamics revolve around traditional pairings, maintaining a strictly straight-centered structure.

How does The Best of Times portray gender?

Good

Annette Bening’s character challenges the passive female stereotype of the 1930s by acting as a professional journalist. Her intellectual presence and active role subverts the era's typical expectations of female passivity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Best of Times?

Limited

The narrative focuses on socioeconomic divisions within a largely homogeneous urban setting. It lacks significant racial or ethnic diversity in its central character arcs.

How does The Best of Times represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film offers a sharp critique of capitalist structures and the failures of Western economic institutions. It portrays the struggles of the working class against an oppressive system.

Does The Best of Times include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities within the plot or character arcs.

Present on Screen

Challenges 1930s gender stereotypes by giving female characters professional roles and intellectual presence.
Provides a sophisticated critique of capitalist structures and the systemic failures of the Great Depression.
Explores nuanced power dynamics between gender and class within professional environments.

Limited or Absent

Lacks any meaningful representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight social dynamics.
Does not include racial or ethnic diversity within the central character arcs.
Provides no representation of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A small-town loser determines to have one more shot at the big time by winning a football game.

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