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The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane

Name: The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane
Director: Nicolas Gessner
Released: 1976
Duration: 91 min

Representation Score

5.3/10

Fair

1976

Director

Nicolas Gessner

Runtime

91 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film stands out for its subversion of traditional gender roles and its critical view of community-imposed morality. It presents individualistic behavior as a means of empowerment against restrictive societal norms. However, the film's lack of racial diversity limits its broader social commentary. Despite its progressive themes, the cast remains homogeneous, reflecting the demographics of its time. Overall, the work succeeds by emphasizing individual autonomy over the constraints of traditional institutions, setting it apart from typical genre fare of its era.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film features complex, ambiguous relationships that question traditional assumptions about sexuality and gender. Without explicitly labeling characters, the story hints at non-traditional relationships.

How does The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane portray gender?

Excellent

The movie challenges traditional gender roles by highlighting the strategic autonomy of the female protagonist. She defies the limitations imposed by the male-dominated society around her.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane?

Limited

The setting is a homogenous New England coastal community. The cast reflects the era's lack of integration, presenting a largely Anglo-Saxon demographic without significant racial blending.

How does The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane represent religion and culture?

Good

The film criticizes the rigid moral structures of the community and the nuclear family. It portrays these traditional social orders as oppressive forces rather than stabilizing institutions.

Does The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent portrayals of physical or cognitive differences that play a central role in the narrative.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional gender roles and challenges patriarchal authority.
Explores women's ability to drive the story and strategic autonomy in depth.
Critiques institutionalized morality and community vigilance.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity among the cast.
Reflects a homogenous demographic without social integration.

Official Synopsis

13-year-old Rynn Jacobs lives in a New England beach town. Whenever the landlady inquires after Rynn's father, she claims that he's not available. But when the landlady's son, Frank, won't leave Rynn alone, she teams up with a neighbor Mario to maintain the dark family secret that she's been keeping to herself.

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