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Make It Happen

Make It Happen

2008

PG-13

Director

Darren Grant

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Embarking on a journey to fulfill her dreams as a dancer, a young girl discovers a new style of dance that will prove to be the source of both conflict and self-discovery.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.8/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film features Dana, who provides Lauryn with housing and support during a crisis. While their romantic connection is not explicitly defined, their bond offers a non-traditional support system.

Gender Representation

Good

The story centers on Lauryn resisting patriarchal demands to perform more 'sensual' dance styles. Her journey emphasizes physical autonomy and the refusal to conform to restrictive gendered expectations.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The cast includes diverse performers like Tessa Thompson and Julissa Bermudez. The Chicago setting facilitates a multi-ethnic social landscape that contrasts with the protagonist's rural background.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative focuses on the transition from small-town constraints to a fluid urban environment. It prioritizes individual self-discovery and personal truth over traditional communal or familial expectations.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this film.

Strengths

  • The film provides a meaningful subversion of traditional gendered performance expectations.
  • The protagonist's journey emphasizes female agency and physical autonomy.
  • The urban setting allows for a diverse and multi-ethnic social landscape.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks explicit confirmation regarding the queer identity of its characters.
  • There is no visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • The depth of diverse supporting roles is not fully explored.

AI Analysis

Make It Happen explores the tension between individual identity and institutional expectations. The film succeeds in portraying a female protagonist who fights to maintain her artistic integrity against gendered pressures from a male-dominated judging panel. While the film utilizes standard dance genre tropes, it offers a progressive look at agency. The move from a rural setting to an urban one serves as a metaphor for breaking away from static social structures. However, the film's diversity is somewhat limited by its genre conventions. While the cast is multi-ethnic and the themes of gender subversion are present, the depth of certain character identities remains unconfirmed.

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