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The Midnight Man

Name: The Midnight Man
Director: Roland Kibbee, Burt Lancaster
Released: 1974
Duration: 119 min

Representation Score

1.7/10

Minimal

1974

Director

Roland Kibbee, Burt Lancaster

Runtime

119 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Midnight Man is a typical 1970s crime thriller that upholds traditional cinematic structures. The story revolves around a singular male perspective, highlighting classic noir elements and individual psychological struggles. Representation is constrained by the era-specific conventions of the genre. The film maintains a homogeneous social environment and traditional masculine archetypes, avoiding multi-layered subversion. Ultimately, the film presents a character-driven mystery that aligns with the conventional social and gendered expectations of its time.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Midnight Man have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional framework that assumes everyone is straight or cisgender, typical of 1970s crime thrillers. There are no narratives that question traditional norms or include non-cisgender identities.

How does The Midnight Man portray gender?

Limited

The narrative emphasizes the male protagonist's journey and his experience of justice. Although a female student's murder triggers the plot, women are mostly used as plot devices rather than having their own choices.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Midnight Man?

Limited

The film adheres to the casting practices common in 1970s university settings, lacking a diverse cast or efforts to include actors from different racial backgrounds.

How does The Midnight Man represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story unfolds within a traditional Western legal framework, focusing on personal redemption rather than critiquing systemic issues.

Does The Midnight Man include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities. The drama centers on the psychological stresses faced by the main character due to his past and profession.

Present on Screen

Focuses on deep psychological tension and character-driven noir elements.
Explores themes of personal redemption and individual responsibility.

Limited or Absent

Could benefit from more diverse representation of gender identities and non-traditional narratives.
Should consider more varied casting to include actors from different racial backgrounds.
Female characters should have more independence and ability to act rather than serving mainly as plot devices.

Official Synopsis

An ex-convict, and ex-cop, finds himself in the midst of drama as a murder, of a female student, is commited at the university where he works as a night watchman. He is reluctantly drawn into the criminal investigation and eventually becomes a suspect in the case. Will he be able to find the real murderer and clear his own name, or not?

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