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The Shock

Name: The Shock
Director: Lambert Hillyer
Released: 1923
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Limited

1923

Passed

Director

Lambert Hillyer

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film follows the conventions of a silent-era melodrama, adhering strictly to the social and cinematic norms of 1923. The plot is driven by men's control over the story and traditional romantic structures, offering little in the way of social subversion. While the inclusion of a disabled protagonist provides a central character arc, the narrative lacks depth in reflecting multiple aspects of identity. The story reinforces existing social hierarchies rather than challenging them through diverse perspectives or complex characterizations.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Shock have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on a heterosexual relationship between the protagonist and the banker's daughter. It does not include any non-traditional gender identities or stories that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does The Shock portray gender?

Limited

Women are mainly portrayed as objects of affection within a male-dominated storyline. The narrative emphasizes traditional gender roles and does not feature women in positions of authority.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Shock?

Minimal

The story lacks any characters from non-Anglo-Saxon backgrounds or diverse casting. It seems to follow the homogeneous casting standards typical of 1923 American cinema.

How does The Shock represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film uses conventional Western themes like banking and blackmail. These settings are treated as standard for moral dramas without critique.

Does The Shock include disability representation?

Fair

The protagonist has a visible disability and plays a significant role in the plot. However, the narrative might use his condition as a mere plot device for the blackmail scheme.

Present on Screen

The protagonist is a character with a visible disability who plays a significant role in the plot.
The film provides a clear, structured dramatic arc centered on crime and romance.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, following homogeneous casting standards.
Female characters are relegated to passive roles as objects of affection.
There is a total absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-traditional gender identities.

Official Synopsis

A gang of blackmailers sends a cripple to San Francisco to expose a banker they have been blackmailing. However, the cripple meets and falls in love with the banker's daughter.

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