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To Have and to Hold

Name: To Have and to Hold
Director: Monika Mitchell
Released: 2019
Duration: 84 min

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

2019

TV-14

Director

Monika Mitchell

Runtime

84 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

To Have and to Hold is a conventional domestic drama that relies heavily on established romantic clichés. The narrative emphasizes traditional social hierarchies and gender roles over more complex, multi-layered themes. The film’s focus on a woman’s struggle to conform to societal expectations for a wealthy partner highlights a lack of progressive gender dynamics. While the protagonist eventually seeks autonomy, the core conflict remains rooted in traditional socialite archetypes. Overall, the production lacks significant representation across most diversity metrics, presenting a narrow view of romance and social standing.

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Category Breakdown

Does To Have and to Hold have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on a traditional romantic relationship. There are no representations of non-binary or transgender identities, nor any critique of traditional heterosexual relationships.

How does To Have and to Hold portray gender?

Fair

Alice starts by struggling to fit into the masculine ideal of a socialite wife. She faces infidelity but ultimately seeks personal independence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is To Have and to Hold?

Limited

The film lacks diversity in its cast, focusing instead on a homogeneous depiction of high society.

How does To Have and to Hold represent religion and culture?

Limited

The movie adheres to Western ideals of marriage and social status without critiquing traditional institutions or social hierarchies.

Does To Have and to Hold include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities, neurodivergence, or chronic health conditions mentioned in the film.

Present on Screen

The protagonist's journey suggests a potential arc toward personal autonomy and self-discovery.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, defaulting to homogeneous depictions of wealth.
The story relies on traditional romantic clichés without exploring non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
Gender dynamics are initially centered on a woman conforming to masculine social standards.

Official Synopsis

"To Have and to Hold" centers on Alice who still can't believe her high school crush, the dashing, wealthy and successful Joe Chambers, would choose to marry her and willingly allows him to mold her into his ideal socialite wife. Despite Alice's best efforts to be the woman of Joe's dreams, he can't help but be unfaithful to her. When Joe's indiscretions impact his career, Alice's life is further turned upside down. Alice unexpectedly finds herself falling for her best friend's boyfriend and begins to wonder if her fairy tale ending could exist after all.

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