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Made in U.S.A.

Name: Made in U.S.A.
Director: Ken Friedman
Released: 1987
Duration: 82 min

Representation Score

1.4/10

Minimal

1987

Director

Ken Friedman

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Made in U.S.A. is a gritty exploration of disillusionment and industrial decay. The narrative centers on two men escaping a declining coal-mining town, focusing heavily on socioeconomic struggle rather than multi-layered identity. While the inclusion of a female character prevents a total lack of gender diversity, the film appears to lean toward a localized, homogeneous demographic. The thematic weight rests on the collapse of traditional industry and the instability of the American working class. Ultimately, the film lacks the robust, diverse casting or nuanced representation of underrepresented identities required for a higher score, functioning instead as a character study of economic desperation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Made in U.S.A. have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-cisgender identities. The main characters are a trio of travelers without any queer representation.

How does Made in U.S.A. portray gender?

Limited

A young woman joins the male protagonists, adding a female presence. However, it is unclear if she has significant control over her actions or simply supports the male characters' journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Made in U.S.A.?

Limited

The story is set in a Pennsylvania coal town, suggesting a potentially homogeneous working-class population. There is no indication of a multi-ethnic cast or diverse racial representation.

How does Made in U.S.A. represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film examines the decline of the American industrial heartland and the pursuit of the American Dream. It critiques systemic failures through the lens of socioeconomic displacement.

Does Made in U.S.A. include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the depiction of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions. The film does not show any visible disability representation.

Present on Screen

The film provides a thematic critique of capitalist stability and the systemic failures of the American industrial landscape.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks explicit multi-layered markers, diverse casting, or representation of LGBTQ+ and disabled identities.
Female representation appears limited, with uncertainty regarding the character's role within the male-centric journey.

Official Synopsis

Two men from Pennsylvania give up hope in their small run down coal mining town, and head off in search of the beaches of California. The two steal cars as they travel across the USA and are joined by a wild young woman.

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