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Running

Name: Running
Director: Steven Hilliard Stern
Released: 1979
Duration: 102 min

Representation Score

3.1/10

Limited

1979

Director

Steven Hilliard Stern

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Running (1979) functions as a typical period drama that emphasizes a conventional narrative of individual perseverance. The story follows a male athlete navigating personal and marital instability through physical achievement. The film adheres to a traditional cinematic framework, lacking the structural disruption of social hierarchies. It focuses on a singular protagonist and the restoration of the nuclear family. Ultimately, the work lacks the intentionality needed to provide meaningful representation of different backgrounds or to challenge established social norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Running have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include characters with non-traditional gender identities or stories that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. The main conflict revolves around traditional relationship issues and marriage problems.

How does Running portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on a male protagonist who seeks professional success to address domestic instability. This setup relies on conventional gender roles without challenging the hierarchy between men and women.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Running?

Limited

The film does not show a commitment to representing different backgrounds or a diverse cast. It seems to center a homogeneous experience typical of its time.

How does Running represent religion and culture?

Limited

Themes revolve around individual achievements and the preservation of the nuclear family. The plot emphasizes traditional values related to personal responsibility and domestic stability.

Does Running include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities portrayed with significant control over their lives. The focus on athletic excellence implies an emphasis on able-bodied individuals.

Present on Screen

The film offers a focused character study of an athlete dealing with personal crisis.

Limited or Absent

The narrative relies heavily on traditional gender roles and conventional domestic frameworks.
There is a lack of diverse representation and multi-layered casting.
The story lacks representation for neurodivergent or physically disabled characters.
The film does not challenge traditional assumptions about gender and sexuality.

Official Synopsis

An Olympic hopeful marathon runner hopes his success will be the answer to his marriage woes and other personal problems.

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