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That's Not Us

Name: That's Not Us
Director: William Sullivan
Released: 2015
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

6.2/10

Good

2015

Unrated

Director

William Sullivan

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

That's Not Us distinguishes itself by placing LGBTQ+ narratives on equal footing with straight relationships. This structural choice disrupts traditional romantic clichés and presents diverse orientations as a standard part of the social landscape. The film succeeds in deconstructing the perceived stability of modern connections. It moves away from idealized archetypes to focus on the complexities and volatility of identity and intimacy. While the film offers a multi-ethnic cast, it lacks deep exploration into how race intersects with specific character arcs. The focus remains primarily on existential alienation and the sustainability of relationships.

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Category Breakdown

Does That's Not Us have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film integrates LGBTQ+ identities into its core social fabric rather than treating them as peripheral plot devices. By giving a gay couple and a lesbian couple equal weight to a straight couple, it challenges assumptions that favor straight relationships.

How does That's Not Us portray gender?

Good

The narrative explores the friction in modern gender dynamics by moving away from idealized romantic archetypes. It portrays gendered interactions as sites of emotional volatility and negotiation within intimate partnerships.

How racially and ethnically diverse is That's Not Us?

Fair

Casting reflects a multi-ethnic urban demographic, avoiding the homogeneity common in romantic dramas. However, the depth of exploration into how race intersects with character arcs remains secondary to the film's broader themes.

How does That's Not Us represent religion and culture?

Good

The film prioritizes subjective truth and critiques the performance of social stability. It highlights a postmodern skepticism toward established social norms and traditional decorum through its depiction of interpersonal dysfunction.

Does That's Not Us include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not indicate a significant focus on visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Provides significant visibility by treating LGBTQ+ identities as central, equal components of the social fabric.
Challenges assumptions that favor straight relationships through a balanced representation of diverse relationship models.
Subverts traditional romantic archetypes by focusing on the complexities of modern gender dynamics.

Limited or Absent

Lacks deep exploration into how race intersects with specific character arcs.
Provides no significant representation or focus regarding visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Three twenty-something couples, one gay, one lesbian, and one straight, travel to a beach house to enjoy the last days of summer, but what should be a fun and carefree weekend becomes an exploration of what it takes to sustain a healthy relationship.

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