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The Midas Touch

Name: The Midas Touch
Director: Peter Manoogian
Released: 1997
Duration: 83 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

1997

Director

Peter Manoogian

Runtime

83 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Midas Touch operates as a conventional moral fable, prioritizing traditional storytelling over social disruption. Its narrative structure relies on established archetypes, such as the young male hero and the vulnerable elder, which reinforce established social hierarchies. While the film explores themes of familial devotion and the consequences of greed, it lacks complexity in representing diverse identities. Characters and conflicts are framed through a standard Western lens, offering limited representation of varied backgrounds. Ultimately, the production adheres to the predictable clichés of its era and genre, focusing on a homogeneous family unit and using medical conditions as mere plot catalysts.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Midas Touch have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any visible LGBTQ narratives or non-cisgender identities. It focuses solely on a traditional family structure.

How does The Midas Touch portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on a male protagonist following a classic hero's journey. While a grandmother adds emotional stakes, her role is defined by vulnerability rather than active involvement.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Midas Touch?

Limited

The narrative seems to center on a homogeneous family unit. There is no indication of a diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon majority cast.

How does The Midas Touch represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film functions as a moral fable reinforcing Western values and capitalist frameworks. It uses wealth as a tool for preservation within a standard ethical structure.

Does The Midas Touch include disability representation?

Limited

A serious heart condition drives the plot, but it serves as a narrative device rather than a detailed exploration of lived experience. The illness acts primarily as a motivator.

Present on Screen

Explores universal themes of familial devotion and the moral consequences of greed.
Provides a clear, accessible moral fable structure for family audiences.

Limited or Absent

Lacks diverse representation of gender, race, and sexuality.
Uses disability and illness primarily as plot devices rather than nuanced character studies.
Relies on traditional, homogeneous storytelling clichés that lack cultural breadth.

Official Synopsis

Drama about a 12-year-old boy who fantasises about having enough money to be able to cure his grandmother's serious heart condition. When he finds himself in a haunted house, the mysterious owner 'grants' him one wish - the Midas touch. The boy soon learns that it is more of a curse than a blessing when everything he touches turns into gold.

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