You are here:

I Am Not a Hipster

Name: I Am Not a Hipster
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Released: 2013
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2013

Not Rated

Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

I Am Not a Hipster is a character-driven study that prioritizes individual existentialism over systemic or identity-based narrative structures. While it offers a nuanced look at emotional stuntedness, it lacks multi-layered breadth. The film's primary strength lies in its portrayal of the protagonist as emotionally stunted and aggressive, avoiding the cliché of the stable male leader. However, the film remains demographically homogeneous, lacking intentional diversity and relying on traditional gender roles to drive the protagonist's emotional growth.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does I Am Not a Hipster have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. It centers on a traditional family dynamic without any queer undertones.

How does I Am Not a Hipster portray gender?

Fair

Brook's aggressive and self-absorbed masculinity challenges the typical strong male leader stereotype. However, the sisters mainly serve in traditional supportive roles, providing emotional stability.

How racially and ethnically diverse is I Am Not a Hipster?

Limited

The cast is mostly white, focusing on a middle-class experience in Oakland. The film does not explore diverse casting or delve into multi-layered racial issues.

How does I Am Not a Hipster represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story critiques standard productivity through the tortured artist archetype. It remains focused on personal resolution without examining systemic cultural institutions deeply.

Does I Am Not a Hipster include disability representation?

Limited

Mental health is addressed through grief and apathy, but these traits are portrayed as personality flaws rather than a nuanced exploration of neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine competence by portraying the male lead as emotionally stunted and aggressive.
Provides a nuanced character study of grief, anger, and the 'tortured artist' archetype.

Limited or Absent

Lacks multi-layered breadth, featuring a predominantly white and homogeneous social environment.
Does not include LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight relationships.
Treats mental health as a personality flaw rather than a nuanced exploration of neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Things are not looking good for Brook, a young, talented singer/songwriter who has become the clichéd tortured artist. Slow to come to terms with the death of his mother, Brook is self-absorbed, aggressive, and the major obstruction to his own career success. His isolation is lifted when his three sisters and estranged father come to spread his mother’s ashes. Brook’s loving sisters have a magical effect on his anger and apathy, suggesting there may be hope for the misanthropic musician after all.

How are these scores produced? →