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The Sun Is Also a Star

The Sun Is Also a Star

2019

PG-13

Director

Ry Russo-Young

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Two young New Yorkers begin to fall in love over the course of a single day, as a series of potentially life-altering meetings loom over their heads - hers concerning her family’s deportation to Jamaica, and his concerning an education at Dartmouth.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.8/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit evidence of queer narratives or non-cisnormative identities. Without verifiable queer agency in the central plot, the representation remains neutral.

Gender Representation

Fair

A dual-protagonist model provides a balanced distribution of agency. The female lead's family crisis places female-driven systemic struggles at the emotional forefront.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The narrative centers on the diaspora by focusing on a family facing deportation to Jamaica. It effectively uses ethnic identity to drive the plot.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The story critiques traditional Western institutions by framing state immigration enforcement as a disruptive force. It prioritizes social justice frameworks over traditional stability.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities within the narrative.

Strengths

  • High potential for intersectional representation through the lens of immigrant rights.
  • Strong thematic focus on the systemic realities of the Jamaican diaspora.
  • Effective juxtaposition of socioeconomic mobility and state-level immigration enforcement.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of verifiable LGBTQ+ characters or queer narratives.
  • Absence of representation regarding physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • Limited data regarding the subversion of heteronormativity.

AI Analysis

The film disrupts conventional romantic tropes by intertwining personal affection with systemic vulnerability. It moves beyond simple romance to explore the friction between individual agency and institutional oppression. By juxtaposing the struggle of immigration enforcement against the pursuit of elite Ivy League education, the film highlights the diverse ways racialized identities experience the American Dream. This creates a sophisticated, socially-conscious portrait of urban life. While the film excels in racial and cultural depth, it lacks visible representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability, leaving those areas unaddressed.

How are these scores produced? →

Featured in

  • Best Racial & Ethnic Representation in Film
  • Racial & Ethnic Representation in Drama
  • Best Religious & Cultural Representation in Film
  • Religious & Cultural Representation in Drama

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