You are here:

Best Friends

Name: Best Friends
Director: Norman Jewison
Released: 1982
Duration: 116 min

Representation Score

3.6/10

Limited

1982

Director

Norman Jewison

Runtime

116 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Best Friends is a character-driven romantic comedy that emphasizes personal relationships over broader social issues. While it slightly deviates from the typical stoic male archetype by highlighting the male lead's emotional side, the film remains firmly within the social norms of its time. The production lacks diverse casting and fails to address various identities. By sticking to conventional romantic and social structures, the film aligns with mainstream cinema rather than offering a progressive perspective on identity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Best Friends have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or relationships. It assumes that all characters are straight and cisgender.

How does Best Friends portray gender?

Fair

The male lead, Charles, shows emotional vulnerability, which is unusual for a male character. However, female characters mainly support the male leads' development rather than having their own independent roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Best Friends?

Limited

The cast and setting are predominantly white and middle-class. There is no effort to include diverse ethnic backgrounds or perspectives.

How does Best Friends represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story centers on a Western middle-class lifestyle, avoiding any critique of traditional institutions or family structures.

Does Best Friends include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. Neither physical nor mental disabilities are part of the narrative.

Present on Screen

The male lead, Charles, challenges the typical stoic male archetype through his emotional vulnerability.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, featuring a predominantly white cast.
Female characters have limited independence, often serving only to advance the male characters' development.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or perspectives.
The narrative does not include characters with disabilities or neurodivergent traits.

Official Synopsis

When a professional couple, who have lived and worked together for many years, finally decide to marry, their sudden betrothal causes many unexpected difficulties. They soon find that being married is often quite different from being "best friends."

How are these scores produced? →