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The Book of Wonders

Name: The Book of Wonders
Director: Lisa Azuelos
Released: 2023
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

7.5/10

Good

2023

Director

Lisa Azuelos

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film stands out by transforming traditional submissive roles into ones of proactive strength and leadership. Thelma’s journey highlights women's ability to drive the story and emotional resilience. However, the narrative falls short in representing diverse identities beyond gender. The portrayal of disability is limited, focusing mainly on the caregiver's actions, and there is no significant exploration of LGBTQ+ identities or racial diversity. Overall, the film is strongest in its character-driven narrative and less so in broader social representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Book of Wonders have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film follows conventional assumptions about straight relationships. It doesn't include explicit same-sex relationships or characters whose stories revolve around being LGBTQ+.

How does The Book of Wonders portray gender?

Good

Thelma plays a significant role in driving the story, showing strong independence and transformation. The film moves away from traditional submissive roles toward a model of proactive strength.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Book of Wonders?

Fair

The cast reflects typical French demographics. There is no indication of intentional casting that ignores race or a majority non-white cast.

How does The Book of Wonders represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story challenges rigid societal structures by emphasizing personal connections over institutional norms. It explores the tension between structured adult life and spontaneous adventure.

Does The Book of Wonders include disability representation?

Fair

A coma serves as the main catalyst for character development. However, the character in the coma remains passive, with most control given to the caregiver.

Present on Screen

Strong portrayal of female independence and leadership.
Transformation of traditional submissive roles into proactive strength.
Nuanced critique of rigid societal structures.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or characters with queer-coded arcs.
Limited ability to act for the character experiencing a medical condition.
Minimal focus on racial or ethnic diversity beyond typical demographics.

Official Synopsis

This is the crazy bet of a mother ready to do anything to help her 12-year-old son, Louis, wake up from his coma. After Louis' accident, Thelma decides to do for him the "10 things to do before the end of the world" that he had written in his diary. By listening to these adventures, Louis will see how beautiful life is and that he must come back! By fulfilling a teenager's dreams at the age of forty, Thelma will experience an incredible journey that will take her farther than she ever imagined.

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