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Toying with the Holidays

Name: Toying with the Holidays
Director: Bradley Walsh
Released: 2021
Duration: 84 min

Representation Score

3.8/10

Limited

2021

TV-PG

Director

Bradley Walsh

Runtime

84 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Toying with the Holidays functions as a conventional seasonal drama that leans heavily on well-known genre clichés. It emphasizes a cozy, small-town feel rather than challenging social hierarchies or promoting diverse identities. The film’s strength lies in its portrayal of modern family dynamics through its central female character. By highlighting a single mother, the story offers a subtle shift from the idealized, perfect family units often featured in holiday films. However, the production lacks a systematic approach to diversity. The narrative remains fairly uniform, adhering to a standard romantic storyline that fails to challenge traditional norms or offer substantial representation for underrepresented groups.

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Category Breakdown

Does Toying with the Holidays have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film centers on a heterosexual reunion and does not include any queer narratives or non-straight identities.

How does Toying with the Holidays portray gender?

Fair

Danielle is a key female character dealing with motherhood and reconnecting. Her role as a single mother highlights a modern perspective on female independence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Toying with the Holidays?

Limited

The story follows a typical small-town setup without any indication of a diverse cast or race-bent casting.

How does Toying with the Holidays represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film uses traditional Western holiday themes but includes a single-parent household, reflecting contemporary family structures.

Does Toying with the Holidays include disability representation?

Minimal

The movie does not depict any characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film showcases a single mother as a central figure, highlighting modern female independence.
It deviates from traditional nuclear family clichés by focusing on contemporary family structures.

Limited or Absent

The movie lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
The setting and casting follow a homogeneous, conventional small-town structure.
There is no visible representation of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Kevin, a model train enthusiast reconnects with a former classmate Danielle who is home for the holidays with her young son and try to get their town's old North Pole Express train line running.

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