You are here:

Man and a Baby

Name: Man and a Baby
Director: Marja Pyykkö
Released: 2017
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2017

Director

Marja Pyykkö

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Man and a Baby is a character study focusing on domestic disruption rather than broad demographic representation. Its strength lies in deconstructing the 'ideal' family structure through the lens of a man unprepared for solo parenthood. While the film offers a progressive perspective on gender roles, it lacks significant racial or LGBTQ+ diversity. The narrative remains centered on a homogeneous social setting. Overall, the film contributes to a trend of dismantling traditional Western family structures, even though it does so through a narrow demographic lens.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Man and a Baby have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a husband and wife relationship and does not include any queer narratives or non-straight identities.

How does Man and a Baby portray gender?

Fair

The narrative challenges traditional gender roles by showing the male protagonist as inadequate instead of a stable provider. Antti's struggles challenge the idea of the capable patriarch.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Man and a Baby?

Limited

The story seems to focus on a homogeneous social environment with no evidence of diverse ethnic representation within the main characters.

How does Man and a Baby represent religion and culture?

Good

The film questions the sanctity of the nuclear family by depicting it as fragile. It moves away from idealized, moralistic views of Western family life.

Does Man and a Baby include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information available regarding the depiction of physical disabilities or neurodivergence within the character arcs.

Present on Screen

Challenges the 'stable patriarch' cliché by portraying a male protagonist as profoundly inadequate.
Questions the perceived sanctity and stability of the traditional nuclear family unit.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant racial and ethnic diversity within the primary character arc.
Does not provide any evidence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight identities.

Official Synopsis

Antti Pasanen is working as a journalist. His life is on the right tracks; his wife Pia is just about to give birth. Until - in the front of the Maternity Hospital everything changes. Antti, with the sniffling baby in his arms, sees the taxi´s taillights fading out. Pia is sitting on the backseat; their future as a nuclear family is disappearing. The new life with the baby´s terms begins and Antti has no idea what that’s all about.

How are these scores produced? →