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The Book of Gabrielle

Name: The Book of Gabrielle
Director: Lisa Gornick
Released: 2017
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

5.6/10

Fair

2017

Director

Lisa Gornick

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film excels as a progressive character study by emphasizing female subjectivity and unconventional intimacy. It dismantles traditional sexual scripts and patriarchal storytelling structures through Gabrielle's creative journey. However, the narrow demographic focus limits its engagement with broader racial and ethnic diversity. Ultimately, the film offers a sophisticated exploration of gendered independence and queer identity, despite shortcomings in racial and disability representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Book of Gabrielle have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film provides a nuanced portrayal of Gabrielle's relationship with her girlfriend, Olivia, which is integrated into her identity rather than used merely as a plot device.

How does The Book of Gabrielle portray gender?

Good

Gabrielle challenges traditional gender roles by maintaining her intellectual and creative independence. The story highlights the tension between her autonomy and the male intellectual legacy represented by Saul.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Book of Gabrielle?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white, lacking significant evidence of multi-layered racial diversity. The narrative remains localized within a specific cultural framework rather than engaging in broad pluralism.

How does The Book of Gabrielle represent religion and culture?

Good

The film presents a secularist perspective, focusing on personal truth rather than religious doctrine. It explores a secular Jewish context through an individualistic, non-traditional lens of morality.

Does The Book of Gabrielle include disability representation?

Minimal

There is insufficient evidence to determine the representation of visible or invisible disabilities. The film focuses on psychological depth but lacks specific indicators for a score.

Present on Screen

Sophisticated challenge to traditional gender roles and patriarchal storytelling.
Nuanced and integrated representation of queer relationships and identity.
Strong emphasis on female intellectual and creative independence.

Limited or Absent

Lack of significant racial and ethnic diversity within the cast.
Limited engagement with broader multi-layered or pluralistic cultural perspectives.
Insufficient representation of disability or neurodiversity.

Official Synopsis

Gabrielle is writing an illustrated guide book on sex called 'How To Do It.' At a book signing she meets Saul, an established male writer who is straight. She both loves and hates his work which has seeped into her secular Jewish life from childhood. The more Gabrielle tells him about her book the more he wants to know about her life; the relationship with her younger girlfriend Olivia and her determination to "stop using my penis in sex". As her book takes form, is Saul jealous or desirous? Their friendship is tested as is Gabrielle's relationship with Olivia. The film muses on how we write, how we draw. And the nature of "story" and what it makes us do.

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