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Meant to Be

Name: Meant to Be
Director: Bradley Dorsey
Released: 2012
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

2012

Director

Bradley Dorsey

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Meant to Be is a conventional character drama that emphasizes themes of familial reconciliation and individual purpose. While the film introduces moral ambiguity through characters like Tori, it follows a traditional narrative structure. The story lacks complexity in addressing multiple aspects of identity, focusing instead on a male-centered journey of loss. Women play significant roles but often serve as catalysts for the protagonist's development rather than driving their own independent arcs. Ultimately, the film adheres to established social hierarchies and traditional relationship assumptions, offering limited disruption to conventional storytelling patterns.

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Category Breakdown

Does Meant to Be have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on relationships between heterosexual couples and the search for maternal connections. It does not include any representation of non-binary gender identities or critiques of traditional social structures.

How does Meant to Be portray gender?

Fair

Female characters like Mave and Linda offer important wisdom and support. However, the narrative primarily centers on the male protagonist's emotional journey and personal growth.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Meant to Be?

Minimal

The narrative does not provide any explicit information about the racial or ethnic backgrounds of the characters. Therefore, the ethnic diversity of the cast remains unaddressed.

How does Meant to Be represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores moral complexities through themes of abortion and familial guilt. These elements align with traditional Western concerns about kinship and biological legacy.

Does Meant to Be include disability representation?

Minimal

The protagonist's struggle is portrayed as an existential crisis rather than a disability-focused storyline. There is no mention of neurodivergent or physical disabilities in the story.

Present on Screen

Explores complex moral dilemmas around choice and motherhood.
Includes strong female characters who provide wisdom and support to the protagonist.

Limited or Absent

Does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-binary gender perspectives.
Focuses heavily on a male experience of loss.
Does not depict physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When 20-year old Nathan loses his career and his girlfriend, he questions his purpose in life. Compounding his struggle, Nathan grew up in a foster home and never met his birth mother. He sets out on a quest to find his mother and somehow come to terms with her rejection of him. His journey begins by flying to the city where he was born. Upon his arrival, Nathan checks into a hotel and meets Mave the hotel's housekeeper. Encouraged by Mave's wisdom and the help of hotel guest Shelly, Nathan finds the address of his mother, Linda. Linda is a social worker who agonizes over the decision she made with Nathan 20 years ago. In an effort to admonish the guilt of giving up her son, Linda is caught up in the life of a teenage mother-to-be, Tori, who is conflicted by the decision to abort her baby. When Nathan gathers the courage to meet his mother, he uncovers a terrible secret that totally redefines what was meant to be for his life.

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