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It Had to Be You

Name: It Had to Be You
Director: Bradford May
Released: 2015
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

2015

TV-G

Director

Bradford May

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

It Had to Be You is a typical romantic comedy that relies heavily on well-known clichés. The plot revolves around a professional rivalry between two main characters, following a predictable enemies-to-lovers storyline set in a corporate advertising environment. The film lacks diversity, presenting a narrow perspective on identity and culture. It focuses on a conventional heterosexual romance and does not include representation for LGBTQ+ individuals, diverse racial backgrounds, or people with disabilities. Overall, the film sticks to traditional storytelling methods and stable social narratives. It avoids challenging established social hierarchies or disrupting the status quo.

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Category Breakdown

Does It Had to Be You have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film follows a typical heterosexual relationship between Darby and Derrick. There are no stories or characters that challenge the idea that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does It Had to Be You portray gender?

Fair

Darby is a woman who deals with a change in corporate power. However, the story often follows a common cliché where rivals become lovers, which can reinforce traditional gender roles rather than challenge them.

How racially and ethnically diverse is It Had to Be You?

Limited

The story does not show a cast with multiple ethnicities. The professional setting seems to follow typical casting practices for a romance genre aimed at a general audience.

How does It Had to Be You represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story focuses on individual success and romance within a traditional Western context. It does not address or critique Western institutions or social hierarchies.

Does It Had to Be You include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with physical or neurological differences.

Present on Screen

The film features a clear, professional female protagonist named Darby who navigates a corporate power shift.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and diverse racial backgrounds.
The story relies on traditional gendered clichés rather than challenging masculine authority.
There is no evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When her ad agency is absorbed by a much larger, more powerful firm, Darby's rivalry with new partner Derrick could blossom into something else.

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