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Taking the Reins

Name: Taking the Reins
Director: Clare Niederpruem
Released: 2021
Duration: 84 min

Representation Score

0.9/10

Minimal

2021

TV-G

Director

Clare Niederpruem

Runtime

84 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Taking the Reins follows a conventional restorative arc typical of romantic comedies. The story centers on a woman returning to her family ranch to heal from a past marriage through her love of horses. While the film emphasizes women's ability to drive the story, it lacks depth in addressing multiple aspects of identity. The narrative adheres to traditional storytelling structures without disrupting established social hierarchies or introducing diverse perspectives. Ultimately, the film operates as a standard genre piece, prioritizing individual emotional healing within a familiar, traditional setting rather than exploring broader cultural or social complexities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Taking the Reins have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any non-straight relationships, focusing instead on a traditional romantic storyline involving a failed marriage.

How does Taking the Reins portray gender?

Fair

A strong female character leads the story, reclaiming her passion and ability to act. However, the narrative does not challenge traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Taking the Reins?

Minimal

The cast is not diverse, and there are no mentions of non-Anglo-Saxon perspectives. The story follows traditional Western themes.

How does Taking the Reins represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative engages with traditional Western values such as preserving a family ranch and legacy. It focuses on personal reconciliation rather than broader social critiques.

Does Taking the Reins include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not provide any information about including characters with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.

Present on Screen

The narrative provides a foundation for female-driven storytelling by centering on a woman reclaiming her passion.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks multi-layered casting and fails to introduce diverse racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ perspectives.
There is no evidence of disability representation or the inclusion of neurodivergent characters.
The story follows traditional Western clichés without challenging established social or cultural hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

A writer goes back to the family ranch to write an article about her passion for horses and discovers what ended her marriage and why she stopped riding horses.

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