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A Hero of Our Times

Name: A Hero of Our Times
Director: Mario Monicelli
Released: 1955
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

4.0/10

Limited

1955

Director

Mario Monicelli

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Mario Monicelli’s work uses satire to deconstruct post-war Italian social structures. By presenting a flawed protagonist, the film critiques traditional masculinity and virtue. While the film lacks diverse representation regarding race and LGBTQ+ identities, it successfully disrupts gendered power dynamics. The presence of a female authority figure in a managerial position provides a departure from standard mid-century clichés. Ultimately, the film is a product of its historical context, focusing on domestic Italian life. It offers a more complex, morally relativistic view of social roles instead of idealized family structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does A Hero of Our Times have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The central romantic tension follows a traditional structure where the protagonist pursues Marcella.

How does A Hero of Our Times portray gender?

Fair

Mrs. De Ritis stands out as a subversion of mid-century gender roles, holding managerial power as a widow. However, the protagonist's motivations remain tied to conventional romantic pursuits.

How racially and ethnically diverse is A Hero of Our Times?

Limited

The production reflects the demographic homogeneity of 1955 Italy. The narrative focuses on domestic social strata without showing multi-ethnic or non-European identities.

How does A Hero of Our Times represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques traditional heroism by centering a fearful, selfish protagonist. This disrupts idealized mid-century virtues and presents a more dysfunctional, realistic domestic unit.

Does A Hero of Our Times include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed in the narrative. No information is available regarding the inclusion of neurodivergence or physical disabilities.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional masculine archetypes by presenting a protagonist defined by fear and selfishness.
Challenges gender hierarchies through a female employer in a position of economic power.
Critiques idealized mid-century social structures through sophisticated satirical commentary.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight-centered narratives.
Reflects the demographic homogeneity of its era with no multi-ethnic casting.
Maintains conventional romantic clichés that limit the progressive potential of women's ability to drive the story.

Official Synopsis

Alberto Menichetti lives with an aunt and an old housekeeper, Clotilde; he has a job in a firm and his boss is Mrs. De Ritis, a widow whose husband was killed during a wild boar hunt. She likes him but Alberto likes Marcella; she is under age and he is awaiting her birthday to declare his love. His greater traits are to be fearful of everything and to be selfish. This nature will get him into trouble..

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