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Man's Job

Name: Man's Job
Director: Aleksi Salmenperä
Released: 2007
Duration: 103 min

Representation Score

6.2/10

Good

2007

Director

Aleksi Salmenperä

Runtime

103 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Man's Job is a gritty social realist critique that deconstructs rigid masculine roles. By forcing a traditional breadwinner into sex work, the film challenges patriarchal stability and the perceived competence of the male provider. However, the film's impact is limited by its narrow demographic focus on a homogeneous Finnish context, offering little representation of racial or LGBTQ+ identities. Ultimately, the film excels at exploring moral relativism and the psychological burdens of economic failure.

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Category Breakdown

Does Man's Job have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on transactional intimacy and sexual commerce but does not explicitly depict queer identity or non-straight relationships.

How does Man's Job portray gender?

Good

Juha's journey deconstructs the traditional provider role by forcing him into sexual labor. His wife's depression complicates the power dynamics within the nuclear family.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Man's Job?

Minimal

The story is set within a specific Finnish socio-economic context and lacks evidence of a diverse or non-Anglo-centric cast.

How does Man's Job represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative critiques traditional Western institutions by presenting the family as a site of shame rather than strength. It emphasizes situational ethics over moral absolutes.

Does Man's Job include disability representation?

Fair

The female lead's clinical depression introduces a mental health component. It is unclear if this condition is portrayed with ability to act or used as a plot device.

Present on Screen

Deconstructs the traditional 'provider' archetype and masculine expectations.
Offers a complex, non-idealized critique of traditional Western family structures.
Explores nuanced themes of moral relativism and situational ethics.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, remaining focused on a homogeneous setting.
Provides no explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
The portrayal of mental health remains ambiguous regarding character's ability to drive the story.

Official Synopsis

Juha is 38 years old and has three small children and a depressed wife. He sees himself as strong and believes a man should provide for his family. But one day Juha is fired from his job. Ashamed, he weaves a web of lies to hide the fact from his family. With the help of his friend Olli, Juha begins prostituting himself to support his wife and children. With this he makes in two hours what it took him two days to earn before. The shame and deception mushroom, but the pay from the new profession seems to offset the downside.

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