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The Awful Truth

Name: The Awful Truth
Director: Marshall Neilan
Released: 1929
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

1.4/10

Minimal

1929

Passed

Director

Marshall Neilan

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film serves as a period-specific social comedy that closely mirrors the demographic norms of the late 1920s. It centers on the domestic conflicts and legal maneuvers of a wealthy couple, using infidelity as a comedic element. While the film provides a slight progressive touch through the depiction of the female lead's pursuit of marital autonomy, it remains rooted in traditional hierarchies. The narrative portrays the wealthy elite as a monolithic, Anglo-Saxon demographic. Overall, the production lacks representation for LGBTQ+ individuals, diverse racial groups, or people with disabilities, making it a conventional product of its time.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Awful Truth have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or queer subtexts. All romantic relationships are between heterosexual couples.

How does The Awful Truth portray gender?

Fair

The female lead takes an active role in her life by pursuing divorce and new romantic interests. However, her actions are still influenced by traditional patriarchal social norms.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Awful Truth?

Minimal

The cast is uniform, representing the high society of the late 1920s. There are no characters from diverse racial backgrounds or non-Anglo-Saxon cultures.

How does The Awful Truth represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story upholds traditional Western social structures and upper-class lifestyles. Marital instability is treated as a humorous social issue rather than a deeper societal critique.

Does The Awful Truth include disability representation?

Minimal

No visible or invisible disabilities are shown in the characters' stories. The characters are portrayed as fully able-bodied.

Present on Screen

The female lead actively pursues divorce and seeks new romantic relationships.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial diversity, presenting a monolithic, homogeneous cast.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight-centered narratives.
The production does not portray characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Story of a wealthy couple whose individual infidelities lead inexorably to the divorce court.

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