
This Changes Everything
2019

2012
TV-14Director
Tom Donahue
Runtime
89 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
This essential new documentary pays tribute to the legacy of the late, legendary casting director Marion Dougherty and shines a light on one of the most overlooked and least understood crafts in filmmaking.
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film offers a historical look at how casting decisions impact the visibility of queer identities. It functions as an analysis of industry shifts rather than a narrative focused on queer protagonists.
Gender Representation
By centering Marion Dougherty, the documentary highlights female professional agency within a male-dominated studio system. It elevates a woman as a primary architect of cinematic identity.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The documentary examines the transition from homogeneous casting to more intentional, diverse ensembles. It explores how casting can disrupt or reinforce existing racial hierarchies in Hollywood.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film critiques the standard Western cinematic gaze by examining the mechanics of the film industry. It emphasizes how individual agency can break through institutionalized norms.
Disability Representation
The film does not explicitly center disability narratives or specific character arcs. It touches on systemic barriers to access but lacks direct focus on neurodivergent or physical disability representation.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Casting By is a sophisticated documentary that examines the systemic mechanics of representation through the lens of Marion Dougherty’s career. It succeeds by deconstructing the power dynamics of Hollywood, moving beyond simple inclusion to analyze the intentionality behind who appears on screen. The film's strength lies in its ability to connect the craft of casting to broader social shifts, particularly regarding gender and racial diversity. By focusing on a woman who reshaped talent selection, it challenges traditional director-centric narratives. However, the documentary remains more of a structural and historical analysis than a character-driven study. While it addresses the evolution of visibility, it lacks specific, centered narratives for disability and LGBTQ+ communities, focusing instead on the industry's institutional architecture.

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