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The Crying Woman

Name: The Crying Woman
Director: Jacques Doillon
Released: 1979
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.6/10

Fair

1979

Director

Jacques Doillon

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Crying Woman functions primarily as an intimate psychological character study. It succeeds in deconstructing traditional gender roles by portraying a male lead who is emotionally sidelined by a woman's autonomy. However, the film lacks breadth in other areas of representation. The setting and narrative focus suggest a very narrow, homogeneous social lens that excludes diverse racial or LGBTQ+ perspectives. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its subversion of domestic archetypes, even as it remains limited by its localized and traditional casting approach.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Crying Woman have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film centers on a domestic relationship involving a husband, wife, and another woman. It does not explicitly depict queer identities or non-straight relationships.

How does The Crying Woman portray gender?

Good

Jacques challenges the stoic patriarch cliché by appearing powerless against Dominique's emotional intensity. Dominique regains control by removing the male protagonist from their domestic space.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Crying Woman?

Limited

Set in rural Provence, the film seems to focus on a homogeneous social unit. There is no indication of a multi-ethnic cast within the narrative.

How does The Crying Woman represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story avoids idealized Western family structures by emphasizing emotional instability. It prioritizes psychological realism over traditional moral lessons or cultural archetypes.

Does The Crying Woman include disability representation?

Minimal

Dominique's intense emotions are portrayed as relational dynamics rather than a disability narrative. No physical or neurodivergent disabilities are highlighted as central plot drivers.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional gender hierarchies by showing male powerlessness.
Provides women's ability to drive the story through emotional autonomy and domestic control.
Challenges idealized Western family structures through psychological realism.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
Features a homogeneous cast with minimal racial or ethnic diversity.
Provides no visible depictions of disability or neurodivergent experiences.

Official Synopsis

Jacques returns after a long absence to his wife Dominique and their daughter Lola in their isolated house, located on a hillside in Provence. Dominique is crouching and crying. She had asked Jacques to go because she could not stand him seeing her crying. Jacques powerlessly witnesses the excesses of Dominique's emotions. She understands that he loves another woman, and ousts him again...

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