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Try Seventeen

Name: Try Seventeen
Director: Jeffrey Porter
Released: 2002
Duration: 96 min

2002

Director

Jeffrey Porter

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Teenager Jones has opted not to go to college and is instead renting a room in a boarding house to work on his writing skills. Soon, Jones finds himself dividing his time between two women: a young actress named Lisa and a photographer named Jane. After Jane's ex-boyfriend arrives to help her recover from a car accident, Jones begins to understand just how much he cares for her.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.8/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

Does Try Seventeen have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story centers on a traditional romantic triangle between a male lead and two women. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or narratives that challenge heteronormativity.

How does Try Seventeen portray gender?

Fair

Female characters Lisa and Jane serve as emotional catalysts for the male protagonist. While they hold professional roles, the narrative focus remains on the male lead's personal journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Try Seventeen?

Minimal

The available information provides no details regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the cast. Consequently, the diversity of the characters' backgrounds cannot be determined.

How does Try Seventeen represent religion and culture?

Fair

The plot follows a young man pursuing creative writing outside of college. However, the themes align with standard Western tropes of individualistic emotional growth and romance.

Does Try Seventeen include disability representation?

Limited

A character's recovery from a car accident introduces physical vulnerability. It remains unclear if this provides genuine representation or simply serves as a device for romantic tension.

Strengths

Female characters are depicted with distinct professional identities as an actress and a photographer.
The narrative explores non-traditional paths by following a protagonist who eschews higher education for creative pursuits.

Areas for Improvement

The story lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative perspectives.
Female agency appears secondary to the male lead's journey of self-discovery.
Disability is used as a plot device for romantic tension rather than a focused exploration of lived experience.

Score Reasoning

Try Seventeen follows a conventional romantic-drama structure that prioritizes a male protagonist's emotional evolution. The narrative relies on a standard triangle involving two female interests, which limits the scope of the character dynamics. While the film introduces professional roles for women and a plot point involving physical recovery, these elements appear to function as traditional tropes. The story lacks evidence of intersectional complexity or a disruption of social hierarchies. Ultimately, the film adheres to mainstream independent production patterns, focusing on individualistic growth rather than exploring diverse cultural or systemic perspectives.

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