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Lianna

Name: Lianna
Director: John Sayles
Released: 1983
Duration: 113 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

1983

Director

John Sayles

Runtime

113 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

John Sayles employs social realism to dismantle historical myths, emphasizing material conditions over romanticized ideals. By centering a female protagonist, the film successfully challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the struggle for survival in a harsh environment. However, the film lacks diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, and it does not include any LGBTQ+ representation. Additionally, there is no depiction of characters with disabilities. Overall, the film provides a realistic portrayal of frontier life, critiquing idealized versions of Western history through a grounded, non-romanticized lens.

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Category Breakdown

Does Lianna have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight identities. The story focuses on the protagonist's survival and daily life in a frontier setting.

How does Lianna portray gender?

Excellent

Lianna breaks traditional gender roles by providing for and protecting her family in a 19th-century frontier setting. The film highlights the physical labor and responsibilities of women in this context.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Lianna?

Minimal

The story features a white settler family, reflecting the demographics of the time period. It does not offer diverse perspectives or include non-Anglo-Saxon viewpoints.

How does Lianna represent religion and culture?

Good

The film challenges the glorified image of American expansionism by showing the harsh realities of frontier life. It presents the brutal truth of economic hardship and subsistence living.

Does Lianna include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the main storyline.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by highlighting female autonomy and responsibility.
Criticizes romanticized settler myths by focusing on the economic hardships and survival.
Uses a sophisticated social realist approach to develop characters realistically.

Limited or Absent

Focuses on a homogeneous white settler family, lacking racial and ethnic diversity.
Does not represent or explore LGBTQ+ identities.
Excludes characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Lianna's life is a succession of domestic errands and boring faculty parties, however her heaviest cross to bear is dealing with her waning marriage to Dick. In order to find intellectual stimulus, Lianna takes a college extension child-psychology course taught by Ruth. When Lianna catches Dick having an affair with a young coed, she finds comfort and eventually true love in the arms of Ruth. However, this comes with a price as everything in her life is turned upside down.

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