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Doin' Time on Planet Earth

Doin' Time on Planet Earth

Representation Score

2.6/10

Limited

1988

PG

Director

Charles Matthau

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Doin' Time on Planet Earth is a character-driven comedy that adheres to the narrative conventions of the late 1980s. While it employs the 'outsider' cliché to explore themes of social alienation, it does not actively seek to challenge established social hierarchies. The film stays within traditional social frameworks, using the protagonist's eccentricities for humor rather than offering meaningful representation of neurodivergence. The social environment depicted is largely homogeneous and follows standard gender and romantic clichés of the time.

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Category Breakdown

Does Doin' Time on Planet Earth have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The story focuses on heterosexual relationships and the protagonist's pursuit of a female singer. It does not include non-binary or LGBTQ+ identities and does not challenge assumptions about heterosexuality.

How does Doin' Time on Planet Earth portray gender?

Fair

Female characters such as Lisa Winston are portrayed mainly through the male gaze as objects of desire. The mother and sister play typical family roles without having much influence over the story’s direction.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Doin' Time on Planet Earth?

Limited

The film presents a predominantly white setting in Arizona, with no indication of a racially diverse cast or efforts to include actors from different racial backgrounds.

How does Doin' Time on Planet Earth represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story uses an 'alien' metaphor to criticize societal norms and individual feelings of isolation. However, the family structure remains traditional and does not promote anti-Western ideas.

Does Doin' Time on Planet Earth include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters dealing with physical or cognitive disabilities as central plot elements. The protagonist's quirks serve as comic relief rather than a deeper exploration of neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

  • Uses the 'alien' metaphor to effectively explore themes of social alienation and the individual's disconnect from society.

Limited or Absent

  • Does not intentionally disrupt systemic hierarchies related to race, gender, or identity.
  • Relies on the male gaze to portray female characters as objects of desire.
  • Does not offer nuanced representation of neurodivergence or disability.

Official Synopsis

Ryan Richmond is an eccentric teenager living with his mother, father, sister and brother in the Holiday Inn they own in Sunnyvale, Arizona, the prune capital of the world. Is it any wonder that he wants to go to Saudi Arabaia for college and leave Sunnyvale far, far behind? He spends his days at school with his sex-obsessed best friend Dan Forrester and lusts after Lisa Winston, the sexy lounge singer who his parents have hired to perform at the Holiday Inn. Stuck without a date for his brother's wedding to a senator's daughter, Ryan goes to a computer dating service, which asks him such questions as "Can you breathe foreign substances?" Soon, Ryan is told that he may be an alien stuck on Earth along with thousands of others. Soon, Charles and Edna Pinsky show up and tell him that he may an alien prince meant to lead his brethren home. And that's when things get out of control...

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