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The Little Things

Name: The Little Things
Director: John Lee Hancock
Released: 2021
Duration: 128 min

Representation Score

5.5/10

Fair

2021

Director

John Lee Hancock

Runtime

128 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The film successfully diversifies its lead cast, moving away from the typical homogenous law enforcement clichés found in period crime dramas. By focusing on underrepresented communities, especially sex workers, the story addresses populations often sidelined by systemic structures. However, the film leans heavily on traditional masculine roles. The narrative emphasizes the psychological struggles of male detectives, while women are confined to the role of victims without significant influence over the story. Ultimately, the film's progressive qualities are balanced by its reliance on a male-dominated perspective and a lack of representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities or disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Little Things have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to a traditional framework that assumes everyone is straight or cisgender. It doesn't focus on LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender expressions.

How does The Little Things portray gender?

Limited

The story follows a male-focused investigative structure. Women play minor roles, and their ability to act is limited to being victims without much influence over the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Little Things?

Good

The film features actors of different ethnicities, breaking the mold of homogeneous depictions of 1990s law enforcement. It highlights underrepresented communities, particularly sex workers.

How does The Little Things represent religion and culture?

Good

The film delves into moral relativism and the subjectivity of truth. It portrays justice as a destructive personal pursuit rather than a righteous institutional function.

Does The Little Things include disability representation?

Limited

The film does not meaningfully portray neurodivergence or physical disabilities. Psychological themes are framed as professional obsession rather than nuanced mental health issues.

Present on Screen

The casting of Black and Middle Eastern leads offers a significant departure from traditional casting norms.
The narrative centers on underrepresented communities, particularly sex workers, as the primary victims of the investigation.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on a male-centric structure that limits women's ability to drive the story to the role of victims.
There is a lack of meaningful representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who's terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

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