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Necessity

Name: Necessity
Director: Michael Miller
Released: 1988
Duration: 100 min

Representation Score

3.4/10

Limited

1988

PG-13

Director

Michael Miller

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Necessity is a standard 1980s crime drama that prioritizes genre clichés over social deconstruction. While it gives its female lead significant influence, it remains tied to conventional narrative structures. The film’s strength lies in its portrayal of a protagonist who challenges traditional power hierarchies through theft and abduction. However, the story remains confined to a domestic struggle for custody. Ultimately, the production lacks multi-layered complexity and fails to address systemic issues or provide diverse representation across racial or identity-based lines.

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Category Breakdown

Does Necessity have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on a heterosexual marriage conflict and does not include any non-cisgender identities or critiques of heterosexism.

How does Necessity portray gender?

Fair

The film centers on a strong female protagonist who drives the plot through high-stakes decisions, challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Necessity?

Limited

The story lacks indications of a diverse cast and follows the homogeneous casting practices typical of 1980s American crime dramas.

How does Necessity represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores moral relativism through a protagonist who uses criminal acts to achieve a perceived moral good, but it does not explicitly critique Western institutions like religion.

Does Necessity include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the inclusion of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this production.

Present on Screen

The female lead drives the plot through high-stakes decision-making.
The narrative explores moral relativism by framing criminal actions as tools for survival and child safety.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks multi-layered complexity and systemic critique of social structures.
The casting and narrative follow homogeneous, traditional 1980s television patterns.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.

Official Synopsis

A model discovers her wealthy husband is a dangerous drug dealer. She leaves him, taking along two million dollars of his money, but what she really wants is custody of their daughter. She hatches a plan to abduct her daughter and take her to safety. Meanwhile, her husband dispatches someone to find and eliminate her.

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